Outcomes of dorsal plating for selected distal radius fractures

To determine the functional outcome and complications following dorsal plating for unstable fractures of the distal radius. 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. 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%). 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.