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. 2025 Apr 7;33(spe1):e278038.
doi: 10.1590/1413-785220243201e278038. eCollection 2025.

COMPLEX FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL RADIUS: ANALYSIS OF OSTEOSYNTHESIS USING SPANNING PLATES

Túlio Felício DA Cunha Rodrigues  1 , Afrânio Donato DE Freitas  1 , João Antonio Côrtes Vieira  1 , Juan Camilo Ortega Rivera  1 , Rodrigo Mitre Cotta  1
Affiliations

COMPLEX FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL RADIUS: ANALYSIS OF OSTEOSYNTHESIS USING SPANNING PLATES

Túlio Felício DA Cunha Rodrigues et al. Acta Ortop Bras. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To radiographically evaluate the postoperative results of AO 2R3C3 type distal radius fractures treated using the spanning plate technique, associated or not with other fixation methods.

Methods: Retrospective observational study that evaluated 14 patients, aged 29 to 80 years, who underwent osteosynthesis, from November 2021 to June 2022. For radiographic measurement, the following parameters were defined: ulnar variance, volar inclination, radial inclination and step articulate.

Results: The mean value of radial inclination was 13.70 degrees, volar inclination was 0.85 degrees, ulnar variance was 0.60mm and joint step was 0.78mm.

Conclusion: Fixation using spanning plate is an excellent alternative in the management of complex fractures of the distal radius. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

Objetivo: Avaliar radiograficamente os resultados pós-operatórios de fraturas do rádio distal do tipo AO 2R3C3 tratados pela técnica de placa distração associada ou não a outros métodos de fixação.

Métodos: Estudo observacional retrospectivo que avaliou 14 pacientes, de 29 a 80 anos, submetidos à osteossíntese, no período de novembro de 2021 a junho de 2022. Para mensuração radiográfica, foram definidos como parâmetros: variância ulnar, inclinação volar, inclinação radial e degrau articular.

Resultados: O valor médio da inclinação radial foi de 13,70 graus, da inclinação volar foi de 0,85 graus, da variância ulnar de 0,60mm e do degrau articular foi de 0,78mm.

Conclusão: A fixação com o uso de placas de distração dorsal é uma excelente alternativa no manejo de fraturas complexas do rádio distal. Nível de evidência IV, Série de Casos.

Keywords: Analysis; Bone Plates; Internal Fracture Fixation; Radius Fractures.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. AO classification for distal radius fractures.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Measurements of radiographic parameters of the distal radius. A - Volar tilt. B - Radial inclination. C - Ulnar variance.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Surgical accesses: distal, intermediate, and proximal.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Release and clearance of the extensor pollicis longus (ELP) in the intermediate access.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Final aspect of surgical wounds after fixation with the plate, the ELP tendon free.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Preoperative radiographic images (A and B). Intraoperative fluoroscopic images after reduction and fixation (C and D).
Figure 7
Figure 7. Radiographic images in AP (A) and lateral (B), two months postoperatively, after removing the spanning plate.
Figure 8
Figure 8. Box plot representations of obtained results for radial inclination and ulnar variance after treatment with spanning plates in the patients observed. Midlines represent medians, boxes represent standard errors, and vertical lines represent standard deviations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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