Anatomical and Acceptable Radiographic Restoration After Volar Locking Plate Fixation in Distal Radius Fractures
Emre Tekşan1, Seyit Aksoy1, Bünyamin Arı2, Sezgin Açıl31Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Giresun Training and Research Hospital, Giresun, Türkiye, 2Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kütahya Health Sciences University Faculty of Medicine, Kütahya, Türkiye, 3Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Konya City Hospital, Konya, Türkiye
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether early postoperative radiographic alignment after volar locking plate fixation for distal radius fractures reached accepted anatomical reference ranges. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, patients who underwent volar locking plate fixation between January 2023 and January 2024 were reviewed. Standard postoperative day-0 posteroanterior and lateral wrist radiographs were evaluated. Volar tilt, radial inclination, radial height, and ulnar variance were measured according to published anatomical reference ranges. Results: Forty-six patients were included (mean age: 52.9±13.2 years; 50.0% male). Most fractures were AO type C (80.4%). Mean volar tilt, radial inclination, radial height, and ulnar variance were 7.85±3.81°, 17.52±4.46°, 10.85±2.47 mm, and ?0.35±3.13 mm, respectively. Anatomical reference ranges were achieved in 21.7% of cases for volar tilt, 21.7% for radial inclination, 37.0% for radial height, and 56.5% for ulnar variance. Complete anatomical restoration was observed in 2 patients (4.3%). Interobserver reliability was excellent for all measurements. Conclusion: Although complete anatomical restoration was uncommon, postoperative alignment met the predefined acceptable radiographic alignment criteria in most patients. Strict anatomical restoration and acceptable radiographic alignment according to the predefined criteria should be considered separately when evaluating postoperative radiographs after distal radius fracture fixation. Keywords: Anatomical reduction, Distal radius fracture, Radiographic parameters, Volar locking plate
Cite This Article
Tekşan E, Aksoy S, Arı B, Açıl S. Anatomical and Acceptable Radiographic Restoration After Volar Locking Plate Fixation in Distal Radius Fractures. EJMI. 2026; 10(3): 418-424
Corresponding Author: Emre Tekşan