Abstract: Background and Objective: The distal end of the radius is subject to many different types of fracture, depending on factor such as age, transfer of energy, mechanism of injury and bone quality i.e. Colle’s, Smith’s volar and dorsal Barton’s fracture [1]. Fractures of distal end radius are the most common fractures of the upper extremity, encountered in all of the skeletal fractures and constitute 17% and 75% of forearm fractures and having incidence from 5.7 to 124.6 per 10,000 persons per year [2]. In Intra articular distal radius fracture’s degree of anatomical reduction is directly related to the posttraumatic arthritis. Conservative treatment is usually unsuccessful, and it is fraught with complications, such as early osteoarthrosis, deformity, subluxation, and instability [3-5] The aim of treatment here is good reduc-tion and immediate stability to achieve anatomic fracture union, which will allow the early mobilization of wrist and also to avoid the complications of fracture [6-8] Fracture healing decided by factors such as gap, stability and blood supply [9]. With locking compression plate the locking screw supports subchondral bone and resists axial forces. Compression of locking compression plate to bone is unnecessary and preserves periosteal blood supply [10]. The locking plate minimizes the compression exerted on the bone to achieve stability, impairment of blood supply, periosteal compression and along with that it allows screws to be angled around central axis of plate hole to match with the anatomy [11]. The motive of this study is variable angle locking compression plates in the treatment of distal end radius fractures and it’s beneficial effects.
Materials and Methods: 20 patients with Distal End Radius fracture were selected admitted at Chigateri general hospital and Bapuji hospital attached to J.J.M. Medical College, Davangere during October 2018 to October 2020.The study will include patients with distal end radius fractures seen as both out-patient and in-patient fulfilling the inclusion criteria. The patients are assessed both clinically and radiologically. Other associated injuries are noted. The patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation and application of variable angle locking compression plates for distal end radius fracture are reviewed post operatively, one month, three month, six month and after one year clinically and with x-rays.
Result: The study comprised of 15 male and 5 female patients aged from 18 to 72 years with the mean age of 42.2 years with most patient had injury to right side i.e. 11 out of 20 (55%) patients. The average duration from the date of injury to date of surgery was 3 days. The follow up ranged from 6 to 14 months. Using the Modified Cooney, Green and O’Brien functional score for wrist we had 50% excellent, 30% good, 15% fair and 5% poor results with only 3 out of 20 (15%) patients having complications like (arthritis, extensor pollicis longus tendon irritation, superficial skin infection)
Interpretation and Conclusion: Fixation of Distal End Radius Fracture with a Variable angle locking compression plate has acceptable outcome for both the patients and surgeon. Variable angle locking plates give acceptable results in the treatment of this type of fracture with better and faster recovery of functions and range of movements.
