Factors influencing functioning after volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures: a scoping review of 148 studies.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A better understanding of factors that influence functioning may improve the identification of patients with distal radius fractures (DRFs) who need hand therapy. The purpose of this scoping review was to provide a comprehensive overview of factors that have been evaluated for their influence on hand functioning following volar plate fixation of DRFs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 6 databases were searched from 2005 to 2021 for publications regarding surgical treatment for a DRF with a volar locking plate. Included studies evaluated demographic, perioperative, and postoperative factors within the 6 weeks post-surgery for their influence on functioning at least 3 months post-surgery. Functioning was assessed with patient-reported outcome measures. The factors were categorized into themes and mapped to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). RESULTS: 148 studies were included. 708 factors were categorized into 39 themes (e.g. pain) and mapped to the ICF components. The themes were primarily mapped to "body functions and structures" (n = 26) and rarely to "activities and participation" (n = 5). Fracture type (n = 40), age (n = 38), and sex (n = 22) were the most frequently evaluated factors. CONCLUSION: This scoping review identified an extensive number of factors evaluated within 6 weeks after surgery for their influence on functioning at least 3 months after volar plate fixation of a DRF and the existing research has primarily evaluated factors related to "body functions and structures," with limited focus on factors related to "activities and participation."

Is there a Difference in Interfragmentary Compression Strength Between Fully or Partially Threaded Screws? Results of an Experimental Biomechanical Pilot Study.

Objective This study assessed differences between fully- and partially-threaded screws in the initial interfragmentary compression strength. Our hypothesis was that there would be an increased loss in initial compression strength with the partially-threaded screw. Methods A 45-degree oblique fracture line was created in artificial bone samples. The first group (FULL, n = 6) was fixed using a 3.5-mm fully-threaded lag screw, while the second group (PARTIAL, n = 6) used a 3.5-mm partially-threaded lag screw. Torsional stiffness for both rotational directions were evaluated. The groups were compared based on biomechanical parameters: angle-moment-stiffness, time-moment-stiffness, maximal torsional moment (failure load), and calibrated compression force based on pressure sensor measurement. Results After loss of one PARTIAL sample, no statistically significant differences in calibrated compression force measurement were observed between both groups: [median (interquartile range)] FULL: 112.6 (10.5) N versus PARTIAL: 106.9 (7.1) N, Mann-Whitney U-test: p = 0.8). In addition, after exclusion of 3 samples for mechanical testing (FULL n = 5, PARTIAL n = 4), no statistically significant differences were observed between FULL and PARTIAL constructs in angle-moment-stiffness, time-moment-stiffness, nor maximum torsional moment (failure load). Conclusion There is no apparent difference in the initial compression strength (compression force or construct stiffness or failure load) achieved using either fully- or partially-threaded screws in this biomechanical model in high-density artificial bone. Fully-threaded screws could, therefore, be more useful in diaphyseal fracture treatment. Further research on the impact in softer osteoporotic, or metaphyseal bone models, and to evaluate the clinical significance is required.

Is there a Difference in Interfragmentary Compression Strength Between Fully or Partially Threaded Screws? Results of an Experimental Biomechanical Pilot Study / Há diferença na força de compressão interfragmentar entre parafusos com rosca total ou parcial? Resultados de um estudo biomecânico experimental piloto

Abstract Objective This study assessed differences between fully- and partially-threaded screws in the initial interfragmentary compression strength. Our hypothesis was that there would be an increased loss in initial compression strength with the partially-threaded screw. Methods A 45-degree oblique fracture line was created in artificial bone samples. The first group (FULL, n = 6) was fixed using a 3.5-mm fully-threaded lag screw, while the second group (PARTIAL, n = 6) used a 3.5-mm partially-threaded lag screw. Torsional stiffness for both rotational directions were evaluated. The groups were compared based on biomechanical parameters: angle-moment-stiffness, time-moment-stiffness, maximal torsional moment (failure load), and calibrated compression force based on pressure sensor measurement. Results After loss of one PARTIAL sample, no statistically significant differences in calibrated compression force measurement were observed between both groups: [median (interquartile range)] FULL: 112.6 (10.5) N versus PARTIAL: 106.9 (7.1) N, Mann-Whitney U-test: p = 0.8). In addition, after exclusion of 3 samples for mechanical testing (FULL n = 5, PARTIAL n = 4), no statistically significant differences were observed between FULL and PARTIAL constructs in angle-moment-stiffness, time-moment-stiffness, nor maximum torsional moment (failure load). Conclusion There is no apparent difference in the initial compression strength (compression force or construct stiffness or failure load) achieved using either fully-or partially-threaded screws in this biomechanical model in high-density artificial bone. Fully-threaded screws could, therefore, be more useful in diaphyseal fracture treatment. Further research on the impact in softer osteoporotic, or metaphyseal bone models, and to evaluate the clinical significance is required.

Resumo Objetivo Este estudo avaliou diferenças entre parafusos com rosca total ou parcial na resistência à compressão interfragmentar inicial. Nossa hipótese era de que haveria maior perda de resistência à compressão inicial com o parafuso de rosca parcial. Métodos Uma linha de fratura oblíqua de 45 graus foi criada em amostras de osso artificial. O primeiro grupo (TOTAL, n = 6) foi fixado com um parafuso de 3,5 mm de rosca total, enquanto o segundo grupo (PARCIAL, n = 6) usou um parafuso de 3,5 mm de rosca parcial. Avaliamos a rigidez à torção em ambas as direções de rotação. Os grupos foram comparados com base nos seguintes parâmetros biomecânicos: momento de rigidez-ângulo, momento de rigidez-tempo, momento de torção máxima (carga de falha) e força de compressão calibrada com base na medida do sensor de pressão. Resultados Depois da perda de uma amostra PARCIAL, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas na força de compressão calibrada entre os 2 grupos [mediana (intervalo interquartil)]: TOTAL: 112,6 (10,5) N e PARCIAL: 106,9 (7,1) N, com p = 0,8 segundo o teste U de Mann-Whitney). Além disso, após a exclusão de 3 amostras para testes mecânicos (TOTAL, n = 5, PARCIAL, n = 4), não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os construtos TOTAL e PARCIAL quanto ao momento de rigidez-ângulo, momento de rigidez-tempo ou momento de torção máxima (carga de falha). Conclusão Não há diferença aparente na força de compressão inicial (força de compressão ou rigidez do construto ou carga de falha) com o uso de parafusos de rosca total ou parcial neste modelo biomecânico em osso artificial de alta densidade. Parafusos de rosca total podem, portanto, ser mais úteis no tratamento de fraturas diafisárias. Mais pesquisas são necessárias sobre o impacto em modelos ósseos osteoporóticos ou metafisários de menor densidade e avaliação do significado clínico.

Complications After Volar Locking Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures: A Retrospective Study of 822 Patients.

PURPOSE: With the current routine use of volar locking plates as the preferred surgical treatment option for distal radius fractures, the purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of postoperative complications following surgery and, second, investigate the correlation between demographic factors and the risk of complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who had been surgically treated for a distal radius fracture with open reduction and internal fixation using volar plating and screws during a 3-year period. Relevant demographic information and all postoperative complications of the 822 patients eligible for inclusion were recorded, with a mean follow-up time of 2.8 years. RESULTS: We identified an overall complication rate of 12.3% (101 of the 822 patients), with 4.8% defined as experiencing major complications and 7.5% defined as experiencing minor complications. The most frequent were complications that led to hardware removal, observed in 2.7% (n = 22) of the patients; wound-related problems that did not require surgical revision, observed in 2.2% (n = 18) of the patients; and carpal tunnel syndrome, observed in 1.9% (n = 16) of the patients. Binary logistic regression modeling showed no correlation between demographic factors and the risk of complications. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a low overall complication rate of 12.3% was found. Further, 4.8% of the patients experienced a major complication and 7.5% of the patients experienced a minor complication following open reduction and internal fixation using volar plating of distal radius fractures. Age, sex, fracture type, and time from trauma to surgery were not found to be associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.

Factors influencing self-perceived functioning after volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to give an overview of the demographic, peri-, and postoperative factors that have been assessed for influence on self-perceived functioning at least 3 months after volar locking plate fixation of a distal radius fracture. INTRODUCTION: Most patients treated with a volar locking plate for a distal radius fracture recover within months after surgery; however, a subgroup of patients experience complications and slow recovery. A variety of demographic, peri-, and postoperative factors may influence self-perceived functioning. To facilitate functioning after surgery, supervised rehabilitation can be offered by a hand therapist. In the decision-making process about which patients to offer supervised rehabilitation, demographic, peri-, and postoperative factors may provide additional information, but no updated overview of explored factors has been found. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will consider all studies reporting on peri- and postoperative factors identified within 6 weeks after surgery, or demographic factors assessed for influence on self-perceived functioning experienced by patients at least 3 months after volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures. METHODS: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, SPORTSdiscus, and Web of Science will be searched for eligible studies. The review will consider peer-reviewed studies published after 2005 in English and Scandinavian languages. Two reviewers will independently perform study selection and data extraction. Following a content analysis of each identified factor, the factors will be mapped to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) components by using the ICF linking rules. An overview will be depicted graphically or in tabular format for different timepoints based on assessment of the self-perceived functioning.

Complications associated with anterior plate fixation of distal radial fractures: a retrospective study of 599 patients.

We evaluated the incidence of postoperative complications following anterior locking plate fixation of distal radial fractures. We investigated whether there is an association with the patient's age, severity of the fracture or surgeon's experience. The medical records of all patients treated with anterior locking plate for a distal radial fracture between 2016 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Radiographs were evaluated regarding Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, Soong grade and dorsal screw prominence. Six-hundred and three distal radial fractures treated with anterior locking plate fixation in 599 patients were included. The overall postoperative complication incidence was 11%. Secondary surgery was performed in 9%. No statistical significance in the incidence of complications was found regarding age, AO/OTA type or surgeon experience.Level of evidence: IV.

Research priorities for liver glycogen storage disease: An international priority setting partnership with the James Lind Alliance.

The international liver glycogen storage disease (GSD) priority setting partnership (IGSDPSP) was established to identify the top research priorities in this area. The multiphase methodology followed the principles of the James Lind Alliance (JLA) guidebook. An international scoping survey in seven languages was distributed to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals to gather uncertainties, which were consolidated into summary questions. The existing literature was reviewed to ensure that the summary questions had not yet been answered. A second survey asked responders to prioritize these summary questions. A final shortlist of 22 questions was discussed during an international multi-stakeholder workshop, and a consensus was reached on the top 11 priorities using an adapted nominal group technique.In the first survey, a total of 1388 questions were identified from 763 responders from 58 countries. These original uncertainties were refined into 72 summary questions for a second prioritization survey. In total 562 responders from 58 countries answered the second survey. From the second survey, the top 10 for patients, carers and healthcare professionals was identified and this shortlist of 22 questions was taken to the final workshop. During the final workshop, participants identified the worldwide top 11 research priorities for liver GSD. In addition, a top three research priorities per liver GSD subtype was identified.This unique priority setting partnership is the first international, multilingual priority setting partnership focusing on ultra-rare diseases. This process provides a valuable resource for researchers and funding agencies to foster interdisciplinary and transnational research projects with a clear benefit for patients.

Intermediate-Term Outcome After Distal Radius Fracture in Patients With Poor Outcome at 1 Year: A Register Study With a 2- to 12-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: Most patients recover well from a distal radius fracture (DRF). However, approximately one-fifth have severe disability after 1 year when evaluated using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. In the present study, we evaluated this subgroup of patients in our register with an inferior outcome. We hypothesized that the patient-reported outcome would improve with time. METHODS: Since 2001, patients 18 years and older with a DRF, at the Department of Orthopedics, Skåne University Hospital (Lund, Sweden) are prospectively registered in the Lund Wrist Fracture Register. We have previously defined a DASH score above 35 at the 1-year follow-up as the cutoff of major disability. Between 2003 and 2012, 17% of the patients (445 of 2,571) in the register exceeded this cutoff. Three hundred eighty-eight were women and 57 men and the mean age was 69 years (range, 18-95 years). One-fourth had been surgically treated. In December 2014, 2 to 12 years after the fracture, a follow-up DASH questionnaire was sent to the 346 of 445 patients still alive. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients (27%) had initially been treated surgically and 196 (73%) nonsurgically for their DRF. Two hundred sixty-nine of 346 patients (78%) returned the follow-up DASH questionnaire at 2 to 12 years (mean, 5.5 years) after the fracture. The overall median DASH score improved from 50 at 1 year to 36 at the 2- to 12-year follow-up, (P < .05). Forty-seven percent had improved to a score below the cutoff 35, but 53% remained at a high suboptimal level. CONCLUSIONS: The subjective outcome after a DRF improves over time for patients with an inferior result at 1 year, but more than half of the patients continue to have major disability. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic II.

Similar 1-year subjective outcome after a distal radius fracture during the 10-year-period 2003-2012.

Background and purpose - During the last decades, treatment of distal radius fractures (DRFs) has changed, with surgical intervention being more common and with new techniques. We investigated whether this change has influenced the subjective outcome. Here we report, year by year, the 1-year score after a DRF over a 10-year-period, using a patient-reported outcome measure. Patients and methods - Patients aged 18 years or more with a DRF between 2003 and 2012 were prospectively and consecutively registered in a longitudinal outcome database. 1 year after the fracture, all the patients were sent a validated subjective outcome questionnaire, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH). The lower the score (0-100), the better the outcome. Results - Between 2003 and 2012, 3,666 patients (2,833 of them women; mean age 62 (18-98) years) were included. 22% were operated and the rate remained constant over the years. The surgical methods shifted from external fixators (42%) and fragment-specific plates (45%) in 2003, to mainly volar locking plates (65%) in 2012. 70% of the patients responded to the 1-year DASH questionnaire. The median DASH score was 9 (IQR: 2-25) for the cohort, both in surgically treated patients (9 (IQR: 3-25)) and in non-surgically treated patients (9 (IQR 2-27)). Subgroup analysis showed a higher median DASH score for women than for men; for patients with AO type C fractures rather than type B or type A fractures; for patients with external fixation or fragment-specific fixation than for those who underwent surgery using volar locking plates; and for patients who were operated by a general orthopedic surgeon rather than a hand surgeon. Interpretation - The shift in surgical treatment had no influence on the subjective outcome for the cohort.

Fragment-Specific Fixation Versus Volar Locking Plates in Primarily Nonreducible or Secondarily Redisplaced Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Study.

PURPOSE: To compare the patient-reported, clinical, and radiographic outcome of 2 methods of internal fixation in distal radius fractures. METHODS: Fifty patients, mean age 56 years (range, 21-69 years) with primarily nonreducible or secondarily redisplaced distal radius fractures were randomized to open reduction internal fixation using volar locking plates (n = 25) or fragment-specific fixation (n = 25). The patients were assessed on grip strength, range of motion, patient-reported outcome (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand), pain (visual analog scale), health-related quality of life (Short Form-12 [SF-12]), and radiographic evaluation. Grip strength at 12 months was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: At 12 months, no difference was found in grip strength, which was 90% of the uninjured side in the volar plate group and 87% in the fragment-specific fixation group. No differences were found in range of motion and the median Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 5 in both groups. The overall complication rate was significant, 21% in the volar locking plate group, compared with 52% in the fragment-specific group. CONCLUSIONS: In treatment of primarily nonreducible or secondarily redisplaced distal radius fractures, volar locking plates and fragment-specific fixation both achieve good and similar patient-reported outcomes, although more complications were recorded in the fragment-specific group. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic II.

Hepatic Glycogen Storage Diseases Toward One Global Collaborative Network

Abstract The third international meeting of the Scandinavian Association for Glycogen Storage Disease focused on hepatic glycogen storage disease and was organized for health-care professionals, patient representatives, and representatives from the industry. This report highlights dilemmas in dietary management, differences in monitoring strategies, and challenges with rare disease care, research, and patient participation.

External or internal fixation in the treatment of non-reducible distal radial fractures?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We have previously shown in a randomized study that in the first year after treatment, open reduction and internal fixation resulted in better grip strength and forearm rotation than closed reduction and bridging external fixation. In the present study, we investigated whether this difference persists over time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 50 patients included in the original study (mean age 53 years, 36 women) were sent a QuickDASH questionnaire and an invitation to a radiographic and clinical examination after a mean of 5 (3-7) years. RESULTS: All 50 patients returned the QuickDASH questionnaire and 45 participated in the clinical and radiographic examination. In the internal fixation group, the grip strength was 95% (SD 12) of the uninjured side and in the external fixation group it was 90% (SD 21) of the uninjured side (p = 0.3). QuickDASH score, range of motion, and radiographic parameters were similar between the groups. INTERPRETATION: The difference originally found between internal and external fixation in distal radial fractures at 1 year regarding grip strength and range of motion was found to diminish with time. At 5 years, both groups had approached normal values.