Authors’ Disclosure Statement: The authors report no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.
Acknowledgment: The authors would like to convey that this article is in dedication and in tribute to the life and career of Dean G. Lorich, MD.
Dr. Garner is an Assistant Professor, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Dr. Schottel is an Assistant Professor, University of Vermont Medical Center, South Burlington, Vermont. Mr. Thacher is a Medical Student, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York. Dr. Warner is an Assistant Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas. Dr. Lorich was Associate Director of Orthopaedic Trauma Service, Hospital for Special Surgery; and Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.
†Died December 10, 2017.
Address correspondence to: Matthew R. Garner, MD, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 (tel 717-531-1363; email, Mgarner3@pennstatehealth.psu.edu).
Am J Orthop. 2018;47(3). Copyright Frontline Medical Communications Inc. 2018. All rights reserved.
Matthew R. Garner, MD Patrick C. Schottel, MD Ryan R. Thacher, BA Stephen J. Warner, MD, PhD Dean G. Lorich, MD† . Dual Radial Styloid and Volar Plating for Unstable Fractures of the Distal Radius. Am J Orthop. March 29, 2018
TAKE-HOME POINTS
Radial column fixation can be used as a reduction tool in unstable distal radius fractures.
Radial column fixation can help maintain reduction until union in unstable distal radius fractures when combined with volar plating.
When operating without an assistant, radial column plating can assist in reduction maintenance when other techniques are not successful and holding a reduction manually is not possible.
Acceptable clinical and radiographic outcomes can be achieved with the use of dual radial styloid and volar plating for unstable distal radius fractures.
The effects of increased dissection during radial column fixation in distal radius fractures with regard to scar formation and wrist ROM is currently not known.
References
ABSTRACT
As the operative management of displaced distal radius fractures evolves, intraoperative techniques and fixation strategies evolve as well. Achieving and maintaining an acceptable reduction is paramount but can be difficult with particular fracture patterns. In this article, we describe the use of a radial column plate as a reduction tool in the management of unstable distal radius fractures, along with clinical and radiographic clinical outcomes. This technique can be useful in situations where multiplanar instability exists, or simply when intraoperative assistance is limited. Surgeons can expect acceptable radiographic and clinical outcomes when using this technique, although effects on scar formation and wrist range of motion are currently not known.
