Biomechanical Efficacy of an Internal Fixator for Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures

Distraction Plating for the Treatment of Highly Comminuted Distal Radius Fractures in Elderly Patients

“…The cadaveric study by Chhabra et al using acrylic rods demonstrated favorable results in plates over external fixation by showing resistance to loss of reduction in the axial plane and maintenance of palmar tilt due to buttress effect of the plate. 26 Bridge plates have favorable biomechanics compared with external fixation by minimizing the bone-to-bar distance. Behrens et al demonstrated that the rigidity of external fixation was directly proportional to how close the longitudinal fixator bar is to the bone and fracture.…”

A Biomechanic Comparison of an Internal Radiocarpal-Spanning 2.4-mm Locking Plate and External Fixation in a Model of Distal Radius Fractures

“…Many surgical techniques are used to fix unstable distal radius fractures including percutaneous pinning, external fixation, and plate fixation. [2][3][4][5] High-energy distal radius fractures lead to considerable intra-articular and extra-articular deformity, which causes long-term functional impairment. These highenergy distal radius fractures present with notable bony comminution, soft-tissue damage, ipsilateral upper-extremity fractures, especially in polytraumatized patients.…”

“…4,24 An internal fixator, placed through limited incisions on the dorsal surface of the radius across the fracture site and secured by locked cortical screws to the radius and second metacarpal, eliminates the need for percutaneous pins. In addition, these internal devices theoretically act as a mechanical dorsal buttress that prevents dorsal collapse and loss of palmar tilt in a manner analogous to volar buttress plates used for volar Barton fractures of the distal radius.…”

“…In addition, these internal devices theoretically act as a mechanical dorsal buttress that prevents dorsal collapse and loss of palmar tilt in a manner analogous to volar buttress plates used for volar Barton fractures of the distal radius. 4,25 This study compares the biomechanic efficacy of a new internal radiocarpal-spanning 2.4-mm locking plate, which acts as an internal fixator, with that of a standard external fixator. It also identifies how many locking screws are required for adequate performance of the appliance.…”

Management of Severely Comminuted Distal Radius Fractures

“…Therefore, this construct is considerably more rigid than external fixation. 47 The spanning plate was initially described by Burke and Singer 48 for the management of comminuted, unstable distal radius fractures. They reported favorable results for these challenging fractures, with this technique as an alternative to external fixation.…”