BACKGROUND:Volar locking plate is the dominant treatment of distal radial fractures, but it is difficult to judge the distance between the plate position and the carpal articular surface, thus leading to screw penetration of the articular surface. Arthroscopy or operative perspective has their pros and cons, there is no simple and effective method of positioning the plate.
OBJECTIVE:To find the optimal position of Volar LCP in distal radius fractures and explore the role of computer simulation in this treatment.
METHODS:The CT data of the wrists in 20 adult patients were col ected to calculate 3D models of the radius by MIMICS software. 3D model of the LCP was calculated by UG in working station. The distance between the plate and the distal radius joint was measured by computer simulation, and the mean value was calculated. A total of 33 Patients with distal radial fractures were divided into two groups:conventional treatment group (regular X-ray and CT) and computer simulation group (preoperative plan based on the computer-measured data).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The safe distance between the screw center and the articular facet was 11.13 mm in males and 10.97 in females. The number of radiation and operating time were shortened significantly in computer simulation group (P<0.05). Experimental findings indicate that, computer simulation is a powerful tool to find the optimal position of volar LCP in the distal radius fractures. The time of the operation and X-ray fluoroscopy are also shortened significantly.