Radiographic Analysis in Extra-Articular and Intra-Articular Distal Radius Fractures Treated with Variable-Angle Volar Locking Plate Fixation

Abstract

(1) Background: Different distal radial fracture types have different prognosis after fixation. Our study aim is to evaluate the differences in radiographic parameters by using variable-angle volar locking plate (VAVLP) fixation according to extra-articular and intra-articular distal radial fracture. (2) Methods: There are two groups: extra-articular group (21) and intra-articular group (25). Forearm radiographs immediately after surgery and at 3 months after operation were reviewed for analyzing radial height (RH), ulnar variance (UV), radial inclination (RI), volar tilt (VT), tear drop angle (TDA), distal dorsal cortical distance (DDD), and Soong classification (SC). (3) Results: There were no significant differences in the above parameters between two groups at either immediately post-operative or at 3-month follow-up, except for TDA (p = 0.048). Most patients in both groups were at low risk of flexor tendon rupture, except for two cases. We observed a positive correlation between post-operative DDD and 3-month change in the intra-articular group, but not the extra-articular group. (4) Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that VAVLP fixation is effective in maintaining the stability of most radiographic parameters and reduces the risk of tendon rupture in both extra-articular and intra-articular distal radial fractures. Post-operative DDD can be used to predict the degree of subsequent displacement in patients with intra-articular fractures fixed with VAVLP.