2025 SICOT Annual Meeting: Comparative Outcomes Of Volar Vs. Dual Plating In Comminuted Distal Radius Fractures

Forty patients with comminuted distal radius fractures (AO 2R3C3.1 and 2R3C3.2) were randomized to receive either volar plating (n=20) or combined volar and dorsal plating (n=20). The primary outcome of interest was functional recovery assessed using Mayo Wrist Score, QuickDASH, PRWE, and VAS. Secondary outcomes included radiological measures of alignment (radial inclination, volar tilt, radial height, ulnar variance, and articular step-off). Outcomes were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 3 and 6 months. Overall, the results of the study revealed that both techniques provided comparable radiological stabilization, but volar plating demonstrated significantly better functional outcomes at 3 and 6 months, except for PRWE. This suggests volar plating is the preferred strategy for functional recovery in complex distal radius fractures.