operative treatment of unstable distal radius fractures: the dorsal plate revisited

Purpose: To determine the functional outcome and complications following dorsal plating for unstable fractures of the distal radius.Methods: We searched our IRB-approved Distal Radius Fracture Databases and identified all patients who were treated with a dorsally applied plate. Thirty-four distal radius fractures in 33 patients with a mean age of 50 years and average follow-up of 14 months were treated with a dorsal locking plate from 2007 to 2015.Results: Fifteen and six patients had dorsal shearing fracture pattern and delayed presentation, respectively. There were no loss of reduction, malunion, or nonunion. Average VAS pain score was 2.1/10. Eight patients (23%) required hardware removal, one of which was due to extensor tendon rupture (3%) and five due to extensor tendon irritation (15%).Conclusions: Dorsal locked plating of distal radius fractures with newer low-profile implants is a viable option for particular fractures types, such as the dorsal rim shear type fractures.