Abstract
Background The distal radius fracture is the most common fracture in the United States. Achieving
stable reduction and fixation of complex fracture patterns can be challenging. In
order to help maintain reduction of comminuted fracture to simplify plating, the calcium
phosphate-based bone putty Montage has been developed.
Questions/Purposes Does Montage assist in achieving stable reduction and fixation of complex distal
radius fractures with an acceptable complication profile?
Patient and Methods We retrospectively analyzed all patients who were treated intraoperatively with Montage
bone putty along with volar plate fixation at a large-volume urban county hospital.
Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative measurements of radiographic features
were recorded at 2 and 6 months, as were any complications. Statistical analysis was
then performed on these values.
Results Preoperative and postoperative radiographs demonstrated significant improvement in
standard distal radius fracture measurements, reflecting adequate reduction with the
use of Montage intraoperatively. Critically, radiographs demonstrated maintenance
of reduction compared to intraoperative fluoroscopy images at 2 months, showing short-term
stability of the use of Montage in these fracture patterns as well as long-term stability
at 6 months in a subset of patients. There were no major complications in this study.
Conclusion In this study, we demonstrate the utility of Montage bone putty for complex distal
radius fractures with short-term follow-up and limited long-term follow-up. This initial
study underlines its efficacy in maintaining reduction without major complications.
Level of Evidence IV, Therapeutic
Keywords
Montage bone putty - nonunion - distal radius fracture - comminuted fracture