Radius Distal
Radius Distal
Technique Guide
Table of Contents
AO Principles 6
Indications 7
Three-Column Theory 8
Clinical Cases 9
Postoperative Treatment 34
Implant Removal 34
Instruments 41
Set List 46
References 51
Synthes
2.4 mm LCP Distal Radius System. A comprehensive plating system to address
a variety of fracture patterns.
Synthes 3
2.4 mm LCP Distal Radius System
Extra-articular plates
– Extra-articular volar plates are precon-
toured for anatomic fit of the volar
aspect of the distal radius, so that
plate placement is away from the
articular surface. Extra-articular volar
distal radius plates can be used for
simple intra- or extra-articular frac-
tures such as AO types A2, A3, B1-
B3, and C1. Diverging screw angles
secure the radial styloid and other
distal fragments.
– Undercuts on the bottom of the
5-hole head extra-articular plates
facilitate contouring of the plate to
match the anatomy of the distal
radius and minimize the potential
for soft tissue irritation.
Synthes 5
AO Principles
Anatomic reduction
Plates are designed to facilitate anatomic restoration of the
articular surface, in conjunction with locking screws. Multiple
volar and dorsal plates, some with a precontoured anatomic
design, provide fixation options for a variety of fracture patterns.
Stable fixation
Complex fractures may be treated according to the 3-column
theory by addressing ulnar and radial fragments separately.
Locking screws create a fixed-angle construct, providing
angular stability.
Synthes 7
Three-Column Theory
Synthes 9
Clinical Cases
1
Plate contouring
Instrument
Alternative instrument
Synthes 11
General Technique
2
Temporary fixation with K-wires
Instruments
2.4 mm cortex
2.7 mm cortex
2.4 mm cortex
Synthes 13
General Technique
4
Insert cortex screws
Instruments
For 2.4 mm cortex screws, use the 1.8 mm drill bit for the
threaded hole and the 2.4 mm drill bit for the gliding hole.
For 2.7 mm cortex screws, use the 2.0 mm drill bit for the
threaded hole and the 2.7 mm drill bit for the gliding hole.
Instruments
Use the 1.8 mm drill bit with depth mark to drill to the
desired depth. Alternatively, a 1.8 mm K-wire can be
inserted to the desired depth through the drill guide.
Synthes 15
General Technique
Figure 3
Figure 5
Synthes 17
General Technique
Instrument
Figure 3
Figure 4
1
Position patient
Place the patient in the supine position with the hand and
arm on a hand table, preferably radiolucent for fluoroscopic
imaging. The elbow should be fully extended and in full
supination.2
Synthes 19
Volar Plating Surgical Technique
2
Approach
Make a longitudinal incision slightly radial to the flexor carpi
radialis tendon (FCR). Dissect between the FCR and the radial
artery, exposing the pronator quadratus. Detach the pronator
quadratus from the lateral border of the radius and elevate
it toward the ulna so the radius is exposed and the fracture
is visualized.
Instruments
Apply the plate to fit the volar surface of the distal radius
and insert a 2.4 mm or 2.7 mm cortex screw into the long
hole in the shaft, following the method described in the
General Technique section. Adjust the plate position as
necessary, and tighten the screw.
Synthes 21
Volar Plating Surgical Technique
4
Insert distal screws
Instruments
Instruments
Notes:
The notched distal edge of the guide
block and a K-wire inserted at the joint
level, may facilitate plate placement.
Synthes 23
Volar Plating Surgical Technique
Instruments
Instruments
Synthes 25
Volar Plating Surgical Technique
6
Confirm proper joint reconstruction
Confirm proper joint reconstruction,
screw placement, and screw length,
using multiple C-arm views. To ensure
that the most distal screws are not in
the joint, use additional views such as
10° tilted AP, 20° inclined lateral, and
45° pronated oblique.
7
Close incision
Use the appropriate method for
surgical closure of the incision.
1
Position plate
Instruments
2
Insert locking screws distally
Insert 2.4 mm locking screws as needed in the distal end
of the plate.
Synthes 27
Volar Plating for Dorsally Displaced (Colles’) Fractures
3
Reduce fracture
Reduce the fracture by positioning the plate onto the shaft.
4
Insert proximal screws
Insert 2.4 mm locking or 2.4 mm or 2.7 mm cortex screws
as needed in the plate shaft.
5
Close incision
Use the appropriate method for surgical closure of the incision.
1
Position patient
Place the patient in the supine position with the hand and
arm on a hand table, preferably radiolucent for fluoroscopic
imaging. The elbow should be fully extended with the
hand pronated.
2
Approach
Make a straight incision 5 cm to 9 cm in length, approxi-
mately 2 cm proximally from the base of the second
metacarpal over Lister’s tubercle to the border of the Compartment 5
muscle belly of the first extensor compartment. Extensor retinaculum
Compartment 4
Open the extensor retinaculum using a longitudinal incision
Compartment 3
over the third compartment. Dissect the extensor pollicis
Compartment 2
longus (EPL) tendon and place it in a vessel loop for Incision
Compartment 1
manipulation.
Extensor retinaculum
Compartment 3
Extensor pollicis longus
Extensor
retinaculum
Synthes 29
Dorsal Plating Surgical Technique
Cross-sectional view
3
Reduce fracture
Instruments
Synthes 31
Dorsal Plating Surgical Technique
5
Complete fixation
Using two screws in the distal fragment and two screws in
the proximal fragment will usually provide sufficient stability.
6
Confirm proper joint reconstruction
Confirm proper joint reconstruction, screw placement,
and screw length using multiple C-arm views.
8
Close incision
Use the appropriate method for surgical closure of the incision.
Synthes 33
Postoperative Treatment and Implant Removal
Postoperative treatment
Postoperative treatment with locking compression plates
does not differ from conventional internal fixation procedures.
Implant removal
Instruments
Screws and buttress pins are available in implant quality 316L stainless steel
and titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-7Nb.
Synthes 35
Implants
Synthes 37
Implants
Synthes 39
Implants
Synthes 41
Instruments
Synthes 43
Instruments
Synthes 45
2.4 mm LCP Distal Radius System
Stainless Steel (01.110.045) and Titanium (01.110.046)
Graphic Cases
60.110.037 Graphic Case for 2.4 mm LCP Distal Radius
System
60.110.039 2.4 mm LCP Volar Column Distal Radius Plate
Module
60.110.041 Implant Module for LCP Dorsal Distal Radius
Plates
60.110.042 Implant Module for LCP Extra-Articular and
Juxta-Articular Volar Distal Radius Plates
Instruments
03.110.006 Direct Measuring Device, for 1.8 mm
Kirschner Wire
03.110.007 StarDrive Screwdriver, T8
03.110.011 Attachment Screw for Guide Block, T8, 4 ea.
Material:
316 L stainless steel
* Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-7Nb)
Synthes 47
2.4 mm LCP Distal Radius System
Material:
316 L stainless steel
† CP titanium
†† Titanium alloy (Ti-15Mo)
Synthes 49
Also Available
Joshi, A., MD, A. Nana, MD, D. M. Lichtman, MD. “Plating of the Distal Radius,”
Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2005 May/June.
13 (3): 159–170.
Rikli, D. and P. Regazzoni. “The double plating technique for distal radius
fractures,” Techniques in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery. 2000. 4 (2):
107–114.
Smith, D. W. and M. H. Henry. “The 45° Pronated Oblique View for Volar Fixed-
Angle Plating of Distal Radius Fractures,” Journal of Hand Surgery. 2004. 29 (A):
703–706.
Synthes 51
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