[Early results after palmar multi-axial plate osteosynthesis for treatment of distal radius fractures].

In a prospective study a total of 49 fractures in 47 patients were treated with open reduction and palmar plate osteosynthesis. The results were evaluated radiologically, clinically and with the disability of arm-shoulder-hand (DASH) score. The emphasis was on early postoperative results. The patients consisted of 11 men and 36 women aged 21–85 years old. Very good or good results were achieved in 79.6% of the patients, a fair result in 16.3% and a poor result in 4.1% according to the Lidström criteria. In 65.9% of cases very good or good functional results were achieved, in 22.7% fair and in 11.4% only poor results. The DASH score showed high patient satisfaction in 70.2%, moderate satisfaction in 25.5% and only little satisfaction in 4.3% of patients. Complications occurred in 14.3% of patients and the average duration of sick leave was 45.8 days. Open reduction of distal radius fractures using palmar plates with multi-axial angular stability shows good radiological and functional results even shortly after the operation.