Abstract
Background: Distal radius fractures are among the most common fractures, particularly in older adults following a fall onto an outstretched hand, and are associated with impaired wrist function and reduced quality of life. Open reduction and internal fixation using locking plates provides stable fixation, limits secondary displacement, and facilitates earlier functional recovery. Objective: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of distal radius fractures treated with locking plate fixation at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Materials and Methods: This prospective longitudinal study included 42 patients who underwent surgical fixation of distal radius fractures using locking plates at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital between March 2023 and June 2025. Results: Most patients were older than 60 years, and females accounted for 71.4% of the cohort. The predominant injury mechanism was low-energy domestic falls, with AO/OTA fracture types B3 and C2 being the most common. Radiographic parameters assessed using the Scheck criteria showed significant postoperative improvement. At 6 months, functional outcomes assessed by the Green and O’Brien score were rated as good or excellent in 97.6% of patients. According to the QuickDASH score, the majority of patients had returned to normal function at 6 months (88.1%). No postoperative complications were recorded. However, neither upper extremity functional recovery (QuickDASH or Green & O’Brien scores) nor postoperative anatomical restoration on radiographs differed significantly among fracture types classified according to the AO system. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of distal radius fractures using locking plate fixation yields favorable functional outcomes with a low complication rate.
| Published | 2026-04-30 | |
| Fulltext |
|
|
| Language |
|
|
| Issue | Vol. 16 No. 02 (2026) | |
| Section | Original Articles | |
| DOI | 10.34071/jmp.2026.2.752 | |
| Keywords | Distal radius fracture, locking plate fixation, surgical treatment Distal radius fracture, locking plate fixation, surgical treatment |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hue Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy
Ando J, Takahashi T, Ae R, Ajiki T, Matsumura T, Sasao W et al. Epidemiology of distal radius fracture: a regional population-based study in Japan. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023;24:478.
Lê Nghi Thành Nhân, Nguyễn Khoa Hùng, Lê Đình Khánh, Nguyễn Thanh Minh, Lê Quang Thứu, Phạm Anh Vũ, đồng chủ biên. Giáo trình Ngoại bệnh lý và điều trị. Huế: Nhà xuất bản Đại học Huế; 2023. p.37-48.
Kamal RN, Shapiro LM. AAOS/ASSH clinical practice guideline summary: management of distal radius fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2022;30(4):e480-e486.
Zhu C, Wang X, Liu M, Liu X, Chen J, Liu G et al. Non-surgical vs surgical treatment of distal radius fractures: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Surg. 2024;24:205.
Oldrini LM, Feltri P, Albanese J, et al. Volar locking plate vs cast immobilization for distal radius fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EFORT Open Rev. 2022;7(9):644-652.
Gardner MJ, Brophy RH, Campbell D, et al. The mechanical behavior of locking compression plates compared with dynamic compression plates in a cadaver radius model. J Orthop Trauma. 2005;19(9):597-603.
Gopal N, Klarich E, Dorsa KB, Yao J. A comparison between volar locking plates and percutaneous pinning in the treatment of distal radius fractures: a systematic review. J Hand Surg Am. 2025;50(3):265-273.
Jayaram M, Lambers K, Trytko B, et al. Association of open reduction and internal fixation with volar locking plate vs casting with health-related quality of life after distal radius fracture. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(6):e2318715.
Shen O, Chen CT, Jupiter JB, Chen NC, Liu WC. Functional outcomes and complications after treatment of distal radius fracture in patients sixty years and over: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Injury. 2023;54(7):110767.
Yang J, Li Y, Li X, Wulan N. A meta-analysis comparing volar locking plates and cast immobilization for distal radius fractures in the elderly. J Orthop Surg Res. 2024;19:795.
Meinberg EG, Agel J, Roberts CS, Karam MD, Kellam JF. Fracture and dislocation classification compendium-2018. J Orthop Trauma. 2018;32 Suppl 1:S1-S170. p.28-32.
Scheck M. Long-term follow-up of treatment of comminuted fractures of the distal end of the radius by transfixation with Kirschner wires and cast. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1962;44(2):337-351.
Green DP, O’Brien ET. Classification and management of carpal dislocations. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1980;(149):55-72.
Beaton DE, Wright JG, Katz JN; Upper Extremity Collaborative Group. Development of the QuickDASH: comparison of three item-reduction approaches. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87(5):1038-1046.
Nguyễn Văn Pháp, Trần Hoàng Anh. Nghiên cứu kết quả sớm phẫu thuật kết hợp xương nẹp khóa điều trị gãy kín đầu dưới xương quay tại Bệnh viện Đa khoa Trung ương Cần Thơ. Tạp chí Y học Việt Nam. 2024;542(2).
Mahmoud Y, Chung J, Pirzada W, Ilyas AM. Understanding changing demographic and treatment trends of distal radius fractures: a TriNetX database contemporary analysis of 32,912 patients. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2024;6(4):477-483.
Phạm Quang Anh, Trần Chiến, Hoàng Văn Dung. Kết quả phẫu thuật kết hợp xương bằng nẹp khóa điều trị gãy kín đầu dưới xương quay tại Bệnh viện Trung ương Thái Nguyên. Tạp chí Y học Việt Nam. 2023;530(1):46-50.
Fang C, Cheung ZB, White PB, Meftah M, Egol KA. A comparison of six outcome measures for assessing distal radius fractures. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2021;29(1):2309499020971866.
Fang PC, Lo TY, Cheng CY, Wu CT, Chen AC-Y. Radiographic analysis in extra-articular and intra-articular distal radius fractures treated with variable-angle volar locking plate fixation. J Clin Med. 2023;12(10):3494.
Ingall EM, Bernstein DN, Shoji MM, et al. Using the QuickDASH to model clinical recovery trajectory after operative management of distal radius fracture. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2020;3(1):1-6.
Vũ Trường Thịnh, Đỗ Đức Kiểm, Nguyễn Mạnh Khánh. Đánh giá kết quả phẫu thuật gãy đầu dưới xương quay bằng nẹp vít khóa tại bệnh viện Việt Đức. Tạp chí Y học Việt Nam. 2024;541(1):15-18.
Tsang C, von Keudell A, Jupiter JB. Time-dependent functional recovery after volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures: a prospective longitudinal study of 177 patients. J Hand Surg Am. 2019;44(5):404-413.
Moon ES, Shin YJ, Kim MS, Kim SK. Treatment of unstable distal radius fractures using volar locking plate fixation. J Korean Orthop Assoc. 2011;46(3):179-190.