The maximum distal and ulnar position of a fixed-angle volar plate to avoid intra-articular penetration: A cadaver study

摘要

The ideal position of a locked volar plate for a radius fracture is distal enough to gain subchondral fixation, but the surgeon must be mindful of the risk of flexor tendon impingement (Cross and Schmidt, 2008; Klug et al, 2007) and intra-articular screw placement (Arora et al., 2007) into the radiocarpal or distal radioulnar joints (DRUJ). We sought to determine the distal extent of plate placement prior to radiocarpal joint penetration and the ulnar extent of plate placement prior to penetration of the DRUJ. A series of fluoroscopic images were reviewed by four orthopaedic surgeons to determine the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of fluoroscopy to detect intra-articular penetration.