Volar Locking Plate vs Fragment Specific Fixation in Wrist Fractures

Treatment of Distal Radial Fractures With Volar Locking Plates Versus Fragment-specific Fixation (TriMed Classic). A Randomized Trial

The treatment of unstable, non-reducible distal radial fractures is still controversial. The aim of the present study is to compare the subjective, clinical and radiographic outcome of the TriMed fragment-specific system with a volar locking plate in patients with unstable, non-reducible and also redislocated distal radial fractures.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Distal Radius Fractures
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Open reduction and fixation with TriMed fragment-specific system; Procedure: Open reduction and fixation with TriMed volar locking plate

Detailed Description

The distal radial fracture is one of the most common fractures, with an annual incidence in southern Sweden of 26 per 10,000 inhabitants (Brogren et al. 2007). Non-surgical treatment, predominantly plaster cast or simple splints, comprises the basic treatment in non-displaced fractures, as well as in displaced, but reducible fractures (Handoll and Madhok 2003). In the unstable, non-reducible distal radial fractures, surgical treatment is necessary but can be complex. The choice of method is still controversial (Chen and Jupiter 2007), especially regarding the result over time (Downing and Karantana 2008). External fixation has been the preferred method of operation for decades, but with the introduction of the volar locking plate technique, internal fixation has rapidly become more and more popular, without any solid foundation in the evidence-based medicine (Margaliot et al. 2005).

We have shown in a randomized study that open reduction and internal fixation of distal radial fractures using the TriMed fragment-specific system resulted in better grip strength and forearm rotation at 1-year follow up than closed reduction and bridging external fixation (Abramo et al. 2009). Later we followed up the same cohort at a mean of 5-years, with the primary aim of determining whether the superior results of internal fixation in unstable distal radial fractures persist over time. The conclusion of this study was that, internal fixation is better than external fixation regarding grip strength and forearm rotation at 1-year but the difference disappears at the 5-year follow-up as both groups approach normal values (Landgren et al. submitted in 2010).

The aim of the present study is to compare the subjective, clinical and radiographic outcome of the TriMed fragment-specific system with a volar locking plate in patients with unstable, non-reducible and also redislocated distal radial fractures. The patients who meet all eligibility criteria and provide consent to participate will be randomly assigned to reduction and fixation with either volar locking plate or Trimed fragment-specific system. Patients will undergo physiotherapy, clinical evaluation, radiographic evaluation at fixed intervals and will also include QuickDASH, VAS, SF-12 and EQ5D. There will be 25 patients in each arm and the patients will be followed for 12 months.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Sweden
  • Lund, Sweden, 221 85 Lund
    • Department of Hand Surgery Malmö/Lund, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years to 66 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• AO type A or C fracture, unstable and non-reducible at day of trauma.
• AO type A or C fracture, redislocated at the 14 day clinical and radiological control.
• Incongruent RC-joint or DRU-joint and/or axial compression > 2 mm and/or dorsal compression 20°.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous fracture of the same wrist
• Volar Barton fractures (AO Type B)
• Fracture on the other side or other concomitant fracture that also needs treatment.
• Open fracture
• Fracture expansion to the diaphysis
• Ongoing chemo- or radiotherapy
• Metabolic diseases that affect the bone
• Dementia, mental illness, alcohol abuse or difficulty understanding the language

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: TriMed fragment-specific fixation	Procedure: Open reduction and fixation with TriMed fragment-specific system; Anatomical reduction, achieved by the open technique.
Active Comparator: TriMed volar locking plate	Procedure: Open reduction and fixation with TriMed volar locking plate; Anatomical reduction, achieved by the open technique.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Grip strength	Will be measured by a physiotherapist at 6 weeks, 3 months and 12 months. Evaluated at 12 months.	12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Forearm rotation (pronation/supination) measured in degrees	The evaluation of ange forearm rotation or range of motion preformed by a physiotherapist. It will be measured in degrees with a goniometer.	6 weeks, 3 months and 12 months
Subjective outcome measured with QuickDASH (scale 0-100)	The patients own evaluation of their arm will be measured using the QuickDASH (Quick Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand).	0, 6 weeks, 3 and 12 months
Visual Analog Scale	The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used to evaluated different parameters: pain in rest, pain in work, function and cosmetic appearance of the hand	0, 6 weeks, 3 and 12 months
Number of reoperations	Number of participants with adverse events as a measure of safety and tolerability will be preformed	12 months
EQ-5D	The standardised EQ-5D instrument will be used as a measure of health outcome	0, 6 weeks, 3 and 12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Region Skane
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Magnus Tägil, MD, Department of Hand Surgery Malmö/Lund, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Abramo et al. 2009

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: December 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 3, 2011
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 7, 2011
• First Posted (Estimate): March 9, 2011

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): January 24, 2014
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 23, 2014
• Last Verified: January 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Surgery; Fracture; Radius; Osteosynthesis
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Arm Injuries; Forearm Injuries; Fractures, Bone; Radius Fractures
• Other Study ID Numbers: ETIK 2009/318