PURPOSE: This retrospective study was aimed to analyze the differences in stability and extensor impairment after two different volar plating procedures to manage unstable distal radius fracture, which were the penetration of only near-cortex followed by screw fixation (Group 1) and perforation of dorsal cortex by drill-bit followed by fixation with the screws downsized after gauging (Group 2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 491 patients with distal radius fracture treated with standard-sized, targeted distal radius plate in two institutions between April 2009 and May 2014. Finally, 341 patients with complete demographic data, records of AO classification of fractures, data on the lengths of inserted distal screws, radiologic parameters immediately and at 3 months after operation, as well as extensor impairments, were included in this study. There were 112 patients (98 women and 14 men) in Group 1, and 229 patients (171 women and 58 men) in Group 2. The mean age was 59.8 years for all the patients; 60.3 years in Group 1 and 59.5 years in Group 2. RESULTS: The mean length of the longest screws used in Group 2 was longer than that in Group 1; however, the mean length of the shortest screws used in Group 2 was shorter than that in Group 1. While the differences in changes for radial inclination measured immediately and at 3 months after the operation were statistically significant (p=0.019), the change of radial inclination in Group 2, which showed a greater change, was only 0.5 mm. There were two cases with extensor pollicis longus rupture in Group 1 and 2 respectively, and the difference in frequency according to each Group was not statistically significant (p=0.6). CONCLUSION: The superiority of one surgical procedure in terms of fracture stability on measured radiological parameters was not fully proven compared with the other one in this study. Therefore, it would be better to selectively use the surgical method of dorsal cortex perforation viadrill-bit followed by fixation only in limited circumstances.
Classification ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Medical Records ; Methods* ; Radius Fractures* ; Radius* ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Tendon Injuries* ; Tendons*

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to compare the outcome of supervised and home exercises with respect to range of motion (ROM), pain, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE). We further correlated the ROM recovery and pain reduction as well. METHODS: The study included 49 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Rehabilitation was initiated after 4 weeks of immobilization. A total of 29 patients performed supervised exercise 3 times a week. Standardized education and brochures for review were provided to the remaining 20 patients who insisted on home rehabilitation. Statistical analysis was performed for comparing pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), SANE, and ROM. In addition, we also evaluated the correlation between pain and ROM. RESULTS: Comparison of the two groups revealed no significant differences in forward flexion, internal rotation, abduction, and pain NRS. However, SANE at the 9th week (63.8 vs. 55.0, p=0.038) and improvement of external rotation from the 5th to the 9th week (17.6 vs. 9.3, p=0.018) were significantly higher in the supervised exercise group as compared to the home exercise group. Correlation of pain NRS with forward flexion, external rotation, internal rotation and abduction were statistically not significant (correlation coefficient=0.032 [p=0.828], −0.255 [p=0.077], 0.068 [p=0.642], and −0.188 [p=0.196], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The supervised rehabilitation after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair showed better improvement in external rotation and higher SANE score after 4 weeks of rehabilitation exercise. However, no statistically significant correlation was observed between the recovery of ROM and short-term pain relief.
Education ; Exercise ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Pamphlets ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder