J Wrist Surg 2017; 06(03): 174-177
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603995
Special Review: Anatomy of the Volar Surface of the Radius
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Volar Distal Radius Anatomy Applied to the Treatment of Distal Radius Fracture

Junya Imatani
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital, Okayama, Japan
,
Keiichi Akita
2   Department of Clinical Anatomy, Graduate School Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

12 May 2017

25 May 2017

Publication Date:
27 June 2017 (online)

Abstract

Volar locking plate (VLP) fixation has become the standard surgical treatment for distal radius fractures. However, flexor tendon rupture is one of the major complications following volar plating. This detailed review on the anatomy and morphology of the volar distal radius might facilitate appropriate placement of the volar plate and thereby avoid flexor tendon rupture. We introduce safe and secure VLP fixation along standard surgical procedures to avoid complications based on anatomy of the volar surface of the distal radius.

Note

No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.


 
  • References

  • 1 Windisch G, Grechenig W, Peicha G, Tesch NP, Seibert FJ. Capsular attachment to the distal radius for extracapsular placement of pins. Surg Radiol Anat 2001; 23 (05) 313-316
  • 2 Windisch G, Clement H, Tanzer K. , et al. Promontory of radius: a new anatomical description on the distal radius. Surg Radiol Anat 2007; 29 (08) 629-633
  • 3 Orbay JL, Touhami A. Current concepts in volar fixed-angle fixation of unstable distal radius fractures. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2006; 445: 58-67
  • 4 Gasse N, Lepage D, Pem R. , et al. Anatomical and radiological study applied to distal radius surgery. Surg Radiol Anat 2011; 33 (06) 485-490
  • 5 Imatani J, Akita K, Yamaguchi K, Shimizu H, Kondou H, Ozaki T. An anatomical study of the watershed line on the volar, distal aspect of the radius: implications for plate placement and avoidance of tendon ruptures. J Hand Surg Am 2012; 37 (08) 1550-1554
  • 6 Omokawa S, Abe Y, Imatani J. , et al. Treatment of intra-articular distal radius fractures. Hand Clin 2017; In press
  • 7 Shimizu H, Imatani J, Akita K. , et al. Positional relationship between the distal radius and the flexor tendons [in Japanese]. J Jpn Socie Surg Hand 2010; 27: 587-589
  • 8 Kondo H, Imatani J, Moritani S. , et al. Multidetector computed tomography investigation of the path of the flexor pollicis longus tendon: avoiding flexor tendinopathy following volar locking plate fixation [in Japanese]. J Jpn Socie Surg Hand 2012; 29: 22-25
  • 9 Limthongthang R, Bachoura A, Jacoby SM, Osterman AL. Distal radius volar locking plate design and associated vulnerability of the flexor pollicis longus. J Hand Surg Am 2014; 39 (05) 852-860
  • 10 Oura K, Oka K, Kawanishi Y, Sugamoto K, Yoshikawa H, Murase T. Volar morphology of the distal radius in axial planes: a quantitative analysis. J Orthop Res 2015; 33 (04) 496-503
  • 11 Yoneda H, Iwatsuki K, Hara T, Kurimoto S, Yamamoto M, Hirata H. Interindividual anatomical variations affect the plate-to-bone fit during osteosynthesis of distal radius fractures. J Orthop Res 2016; 34 (06) 953-960
  • 12 Pichler W, Clement H, Hausleitner L, Tanzer K, Tesch NP, Grechenig W. Various circular arc radii of the distal volar radius and the implications on volar plate osteosynthesis. Orthopedics 2008; 31 (12) 1-4
  • 13 Andermahr J, Lozano-Calderon S, Trafton T, Crisco JJ, Ring D. The volar extension of the lunate facet of the distal radius: a quantitative anatomic study. J Hand Surg Am 2006; 31 (06) 892-895