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Indian Journal of Orthopaedics logoLink to Indian Journal of Orthopaedics
letter
. 2016 Mar-Apr;50(2):221. doi: 10.4103/0019-5413.177573

Two peg spade plate for distal radius fractures: A novel technique

Darshan Kumar A Jain 1,
PMCID: PMC4800968  PMID: 27053815

I read the article by Sharad et al.1 with great interest. I was impressed by the extrapolation of the principle of fixed angle blade, which is used in the supracondylar fractures of the femur.2

However, I would like to mention few possible drawbacks of procedure. First, the length of the pegs appears to be fixed, and it could irritate the extensor tendon if they are longer or a need may arise to cut the length of the peg.3 Second, the technique to fix the blade or the peg of fixed angle device is difficult as these slots need to be engaged first and followed by the shaft screws, unlike the technique of fixing the shaft screws first. Finally, there is sufficient literature to support the evidence of good stability for the use of volar fixed angle locking plates with screws or pegs.4 Hence, I would probably suggest using this technique or device with the due considerations to above facts and also it appears that there is an attempt to trace history by using a fixed angle device to fix a fracture, where as the trend is shifting toward locking plates.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

REFERENCES

  • 1.Sharad MH, Sreenivas P, Madan SH, Rohit K. Two peg spade plate for distal radius fracture: A novel technique. Indian J Orthop. 2015;49:536–41. doi: 10.4103/0019-5413.164037. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Muller ME, Allgower M, Schneider R, Willenegger H. Manual of Internal Fixation. 3rd ed. New York: Springer Science and Business Media; 1991. Screws and plates and their application; pp. 179–290. [Google Scholar]
  • 3.MacFarlane RJ, Miller D, Wilson L, Meyer C, Kerin C, Ford DJ, et al. Functional outcome and complications at 2.5 years following volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures. J Hand Microsurg. 2015;7:18–24. doi: 10.1007/s12593-014-0155-1. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.Levin SM, Nelson CO, Botts JD, Teplitz GA, Kwon Y, Serra-Hsu F. Biomechanical evaluation of volar locking plates for distal radius fractures. Hand (N Y) 2008;3:55–60. doi: 10.1007/s11552-007-9063-1. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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