Early return to cycling after dorsal spanning plate fixation for distal radius fracture in a KEIRIN athlete: a case report

Introduction: Distal radius fractures can delay return to sport, particularly when early weight-bearing is restricted. Although volar locking plate (VLP) fixation is widely used, it may provide insufficient stability in fractures involving a small volar lunate facet fragment. Dorsal spanning plate fixation offers rigid stability and may facilitate early functional recovery, but its application in athletes remains underreported. Presentation of Case: A 28-year-old professional KEIRIN cyclist sustained a comminuted intra-articular distal radius fracture (AO type C2) with a small volar lunate facet fragment. Given the need for early return to training and concerns regarding stability with VLP fixation alone, dorsal spanning plate fixation was performed. Bicycle training with weight-bearing on the injured limb was initiated at 3 weeks postoperatively. Radiographic union was achieved at 3 months, followed by plate removal. The patient returned to full competitive racing at 6 months. At 12 months, he demonstrated excellent outcomes, with near-normal wrist range of motion, an 89% grip-strength recovery, no pain, and a Q-DASH score of 0. Discussion: Spanning plate fixation provides rigid stability and enables early weight-bearing, which is particularly advantageous for high-demand athletes. In this case, early rehabilitation allowed for the maintenance of sport-specific conditioning and facilitated a timely return to competition. Conclusion: Dorsal spanning plate fixation may be a valuable option for selected athletes with complex distal radius fractures requiring an early return to sport.