TO EVALUATE THE FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF VOLAR PLATING IN DISTAL END RADIUS FRACTURES

Introduction: Most frequent bone injuries seen in orthopaedic practice is distal end radius fractures.[1] It occurs most frequently in adult patients after the fourth decade of life and comprises around 10% to 20% of all the fractures attended as emergencies.[2] The causes of the injury are fall on outstretched hand/work related accidents/car accidents/sports injuries. The importance of fixation of the distal radius (DR) fractures have evolved over the past two decades. Cast immobilization was the initial method, followed by K-wire fixation and then internal fixation with a variety of plates.[4] After using a variety of the available volar locking plates to fix intra-articular fractures, a significant improvement in wrist function was observed. In addition, surgical technique has improved, resulting in less disfigurement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of a fracture of the distal radius (DR) treated surgically by ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) with a volar plate, and to prospectively follow the degree of recovery of wrist range of motion and patient functional outcomes.