Outcomes of Treatment of Intra-Articular Distal Radius Fractures with Volar Locked Plates in Patients Above 50 Years

Objective: Outcomes of the treatment of intra-articular distal radius fractures seen in patients above 50 years with volar locked plates were evaluated.  Study design: Twenty Eight patients (8 female and 20 male) treated in our clinic with volar locked plates because of intra-articular distal radius fractures were evaluated after a 17-month (range 8-30 months) follow-up. Mean age of the patients was 45.2 (range 50-64) years. Fractures were classified according to Frykman and AO classifications. According to the Frykman classification, 2 patients had type 3 (7%), 1 patient had type 4 (5.5%), 14 patients had type 7 (50%) and 11 patients had type 8 (37.5%) fractures. According to the AO classification, 6 patients had B2 (23.5%), 4 patients had C1 (14%), 11 patients had C2 (37.5%) and 7 patients had C3 (25%) fractures. All patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically. Clinical outcomes of the patients were evaluated using Gartland and Werley’s evaluation scores and DASH-T scores. Radiologic outcomes were evaluated according to the radiologic evaluation criteria modified by Steward et al.  Results: According to the evaluation scores of Gartland and Werley, 20 patients yielded excellent (72%), 5 patients good (18%) and 3 patients moderate (10%) results. Mean DASH-T score of the patients was 34 (range 31 to 40).  Conclusions: Treatment of intra-articular distal radius fractures seen above 50 years of age with volar locked plates is an efficient and safe method. Use of volar locked plates reduces the complication risk of reduction loss and need for grafts in osteoporotic fractures.