Effect of calcium phosphate bone cement augmentation on volar plate fixation of unstable distal radial fractures in the elderly

50 unstable wrist fractures in patients greater than 65 years old were randomly assigned to be surgically treated either with volar locking plate fixation or a combination of volar locking plate fixation and calcium phosphate bone cement. Calcium phosphate bone cement has been proposed to improve the stability of implant-bone constructs. The results of this study indicate that there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes observed between the two groups at 3 and 12 month follow-up examinations. Also no significant inter-group differences were observed in radiographic immediately after surgery or at 1 year follow-up.