Published online Aug 26, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i24.7022
Peer-review started: March 11, 2021
First decision: April 4, 2021
Revised: May 13, 2021
Accepted: July 5, 2021
Article in press: July 5, 2021
Published online: August 26, 2021
Distal radius fractures is common, while volar margin fractures of the lunate fossa (VMLF) is uncommon.
In clinical practice, distal radius fractures accompanied by VMLF lesions are often overlooked or inadequately reduced.
To investigate the effect of fixation of VMLF on the postoperative stability, function, and sagittal alignment of patients with distal fractures of the radius bone accompanied by VMLF lesions.
In the retrospective study, patients with VMLF factures were included and grouped according to whether the VMLF fragments were fixed or not. All patients received operative treatment following the guideline of the German Society for Trauma for distal radius fractures. Affected wrists were evaluated using radiological parameters at preoperative and series postoperative follow-up time points among 6 mo. One year after the operation, the Mayo wrist score and the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score were used to assess wrist disability.
A total of 35 patients were included. There were 38 wrists (17 on the left side, 15 on the right, and three bilateral; 16 in the fixed group, and 22 in the unfixed group). The incidence of postoperative wrist instability in the unfixed group (86.4%) was higher than that in the fixed group (25.0%) (P ≤ 0.001). Both Mayo wrist score and DASH score supported better outcome of wrist instability at 1 year in the fixed group than that of the unfixed group (P ≤ 0.001).
In patients with distal radius fracture, effective reduction and fixation of the VMLF fragment is important to maintain the stability of the wrist joint and sagittal alignment.
An associated injury of the short radiolunate ligament should be considered when treating distal radius fractures.