Dorsally displaced distal radius fractures treated by fixed-angle volar plating: Grip and pronosupination strength recovery. A prospective study.

Introduction: Malunion following open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fracture threatens wrist function. Fixed-angle palmar plates provide rigid fixation that is stable over time; however, the pronator quadratus sectioning required by the anterior approach entails a risk of pronation strength loss and of distal radioulnar joint destabilization. The present study assessed recovery of grip, pronation and supination strength following such internal fixation.

Patients And Method: A prospective study included 26 distal radial fractures with dorsal displacement, osteosynthesized using a fixed-angle palmar plate, in 25 patients (mean age: 47.5 years; range: 17-72 years). Assessment concerned the classical parameters, plus grip and pronosupination strength recovery.

Results: At a mean 14 months follow-up (range: 6-30 months), patients had recovered 91% grip strength, 88% pronation strength and 85% supination strength with respect to the healthy side. Complications comprised three cases of malunion, two of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, and four of post-traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome.

Discussion: A study of the literature found 75-95% grip strength recovery following osteosynthesis using fixed-angle plates. Few studies, however, have focused on pronosupination strength, and none reported its evolution following osteosynthesis.

Conclusion: The present study found no drawbacks associated with a technique which usually involves sectioning the pronator quadratus. Except in case of malunion or joint stiffness, fixed-angle palmar plate osteosynthesis was followed by recovery of grip and pronosupination strength.

Level Of Evidence: Level IV: prospective non-randomized, non-comparative observational study.