Distraction Osteogenesis for Distal Radius Fractures vs. Volar Plating (DORSAL)

Optimal fixation for highly comminuted distal radius fractures with metadiaphyseal extension remains to be a major treatment challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. The purpose of this study is to determine the safety, feasibility and sample size estimations for a larger, definitive study comparing functional outcomes of patients treated with dorsal distraction plate fixation with or without fragment specific fixation to standard open reduction internal fixation in highly comminuted distal radius fractures (subtypes AO.23-C2 and AO.23-C3). The study design will be a pilot randomized control trial. Fracture pattern eligibility will be determined by consensus agreement between two fellowship trained upper extremity specialists. The primary outcome measure will be the QuickDASH score. Secondary outcome measures include wrist range of motion, grip strength, Visual Analog Scale pain scale, Short Form SF-12, and EQ-5D. Ultimately, this study will lead to a larger randomized control trial and result in improvement in the care and treatment of patients with these challenging injuries.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Distal Radius Fracture
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Dorsal Bridge Plating; Procedure: Volar locking plating

Detailed Description

Distal radius fractures are the most common long bone fractures and the incidence appears to be increasing worldwide. They have been found to account for approximately 17% of all fracture related emergency department visits. These types of injuries have a bimodal age distribution. The first cohort consists of elderly patients with lower to moderate energy injuries secondary to osteoporosis, and the second cohort consists of young patients involved in high energy traumas.

Surgical treatment for distal radius fractures varies, as there are numerous techniques for fixation. The goals of fixation are anatomic reduction and stability, as this has been shown to result in improved chances for functional recovery. The use of volar distal radius locking plates has become the standard for treatment of the majority of low-energy distal radius fractures. However, adequate fixation for high energy comminuted fractures with or without metadiaphyseal extension remains a major treatment challenge. Severely comminuted articular fractures are problematic in terms of obtaining an adequate reduction and/or stabilization by the standard periarticular plate. It is in this light that the dorsal distraction plate can serve as an improved fixation device by allowing comminuted articular fragments reduce under ligamentotaxis. In addition, periarticular plate fixation cannot address proximal comminution. Furthermore, the use of external fixation has fallen out of favour due to the high complication rate associated with pin track infections resulting in loosening and loss of reduction. It has been reported that highly comminuted distal radius fractures are associated with a 52% to 63% complication rate when treated with external fixation. Recently, there has been increased use of dorsal distraction plating for these types of injuries however, the literature to date is quite limited. Unlike external fixation, the bridge plate can be left in place for an extended period of time without the risk of the aforementioned complications.

Burke and Singer were the first to describe use of internal distraction plating for treatment of comminuted, displaced distal radius fractures in 1998. Since then, the literature on outcomes after dorsal distraction plating has been limited to retrospective reviews except for one prospective series by Ruch et al in 2005. The rationale for an internal spanning plate is multifactorial. Firstly, it is an extremely stable construct and more rigid than an external fixator. Secondly, due to the extensive time required for bone healing (approximately 12 weeks), in these injuries, the internal distraction plate can remain in situ until full union has completed. Lastly, this method allows for early weight bearing and transfer in polytraumas patients with pelvic or lower extremity injuries.

Despite the increasing use of dorsal distraction plating for these types of injuries, there has not been a proper analysis comparing dorsal distraction plating to standard open reduction internal fixation volar plating. Furthermore, most of the studies in the literature have varied in terms of outcome assessment. Much of the current literature has found that this type of fixation results in restoration of functional range of motion with minimal complications rates. More detailed information regarding outcomes following this type of fixation may help improve functional outcomes post-injury as well as improve mobilization in polytrauma patients. Using a comprehensive approach to evaluating patients, the investigators aim to initially perform a retrospective case series study of patients treated with dorsal distraction plating versus open reduction internal fixation volar plating. Once completed, the investigators plan to perform a pilot randomized control trial comparing the same groups described previously for AO.23-C2 and AO.23-C3 distal radius fractures.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of dorsal distraction plating alone or combined with any other fragment specific fixation in the treatment of severely comminuted distal radius fractures with metadiaphyseal extension (AO.23-C2 and AO.23-C3) and compare outcomes to those treated with open reduction internal fixation.

The investigators hypothesize that highly comminuted distal radius fractures with metadiaphyseal extension treated with dorsal distraction plating result in restoration of function as well as improved outcomes compared to those treated with standard open reduction internal fixation.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 9
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Monica Kunz; Phone Number: 416-480-4285; Email: monica.kunz@sunnybrook.ca
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Katrine Milner; Email: katrine.milner@sunnybrook.ca

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4N 3M5
      • Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women over the age of 18 years
• Diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral, open or closed, severely comminuted distal radius fractures (fracture classification of AO.23-C2 and AO.23-C3)
• Scheduled to undergo surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous wrist injuries or surgery that would compromise performance of either procedure.
• Surgery delayed beyond 21 days from injury.
• Significant medical comorbidities.
• Neurologic injury causing paralysis of affected arm.
• Those unable to attend follow up and comply with the post-operative protocol

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: Dorsal Bridge Plating; The intervention is surgery with dorsal distraction plating with or without any additional fragment specific fixation.	Procedure: Dorsal Bridge Plating; This study will be a pilot randomized control trial that will focus on treating patients with the described fracture pattern either with dorsal distraction plating with or without any additional fragment specific fixation or standard open reduction internal fixation.
Active Comparator: Volar Locking Plating; The intervention is surgery with open reduction and internal fixation with non-spanning fixation.	Procedure: Volar locking plating; This study will be a pilot randomized control trial that will focus on treating patients with the described fracture pattern either with dorsal distraction plating with or without any additional fragment specific fixation or standard open reduction internal fixation.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
QuickDASH	It is a questionnaire that measures an individual's ability to complete tasks, absorb forces, and severity of symptoms. The QuickDASH tool uses a 5-point Likert scale from which the patient can select an appropriate number corresponding to his/her severity level/ function level.	primary outcome assessed at 1 year following surgery (survey done at each followup starting at week 6)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Patient-Related Wrist Evaluation	The Patient Related Wrist Evaluation is a 15-item questionnaire designed to measure wrist pain and disability in activities of daily living. Developed in 1998 for clinical assessment and is used for specific wrist problems. It is one of the reliable upper extremity outcome instruments.	2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year following surgery
EQ-5D	A standardized instrument for measuring generic health status. The health status measured with EQ-5D is used for estimating preference weight for that health status, then by combining the weight with time, quality-adjusted life year (QALY) can be computed. QALYs gained is used as an outcome in cost-utility analysis which is a type of economic evaluation that compares the benefit and cost of health care programs or interventions.	6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year following surgery

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Range of Motion	Range of motion will be recorded including flexion/extension/supination/pronation.	3 months, 6 months, and 1 year following surgery
Grip Strength	Grip strength for injured and non-injured limbs measured using standard dynamometer.	6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year following surgery
Anterior-posterior x-rays	Anterior-posterior x-rays to assess radial inclination, volar tilt, degree of radiocarpal arthritis, radial length, tear drop angle, and articular step-off.	2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year following surgery
Lateral x-rays	Lateral x-rays to assess radial inclination, volar tilt, degree of radiocarpal arthritis, radial length, tear drop angle, and articular step-off.	2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year following surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 12, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 30, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): June 30, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 9, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 14, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): August 17, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 3, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 28, 2023
• Last Verified: April 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Arm Injuries; Forearm Injuries; Fractures, Bone; Radius Fractures
• Other Study ID Numbers: DORSAL

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No