Objectives

To investigate the differences of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of complex AO Type C distal radius fractures between two different models of a single implant type.

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective study is to identify factors that might influence the final result in the treatment of volarly displaced distal radius fractures

Material : 31 patients with an average age of 39 years and a volarly displaced distal radius fracture were treated by ORIF. According to the Comprehensive classification of fractures thee were 3 B3.1, 7 B3.2, and 21 B3.3. All the fractures approached volarly and fixed with a T plate. 3 patients required bone graft. All patients were evaluated with postop radiographs and results were assessed according to the system described by Gartland and Werley.

Results: The average follow up was 50 months. There were twenty excellent, six good and five poor results. Although all fractures healed, six patients had evidence of osteoarthrosis, and there were four early and six late complications, which adversely influenced the final result. Reversal of the volar tilt and evidence of osteoarthrosis found to have a significant association with a fair or poor outcome.

Conclusion: Treatment of such injuries require careful preoperative evaluation and identification of fracture morphology, otherwise the postoperative rate of complications can be quite high, a factor that may negatively influence the final result.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to review the treatment of twenty six patients who had non union of a fracture or osteotomy of the clavicle, with specific attention to the complications of the non union, the techniques used at operation and the outcome of treatment.

Material: There were twenty six patients with clavicular non union. Twenty two patients treated by open reduction and internal fixation, three with partial resection of the clavicle and one with total resection.

Results: The average follow up was 23.4 months. Twenty patients were led to union. Thirteen patients were pain free, whereas the rest had some mild pain. Normal shoulder mobility was noted in fourteen patients. In two patients was necessary to resect the first rib because of symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.

Conclusion: Clavicular non-union can cause major functional problems, requiring treatment. Careful evaluation is mandatory in order to decide if the non union is amenable to reconstruction procedure or to salvage operation or to non treatment.