Sir,
We are grateful to the author1 for showing interest in our study.2 The length of the pegs (16 mm) in the distal radius plate is equivalent to anteroposterior length of radius in the average Indian population. In cases where we observed that the anteroposterior length is smaller, we did cut the pegs intraoperatively. Fixation of the plate is not difficult as this plate is provided with a jig, which is kept over the plate and 2 holes are made with the drill bit of 2.7 mm engaging only the volar cortex, before insertion of the pegs as described in operative technique paragraph of the original article.2
We do not deny the effective use of 2.4 mm locking system, which has good results; our results were better than the 3.5 mm locking plates and comparable to the 2.4 mm system.2,3 Considering the low cost, locally manufactured, the stability provided in osteoporotic fractures by the fixed angle support and lastly the ability to insert a screw in the radial styloid, which is not possible in the locking system to give early mobilization of the wrist, this spade plate is a good option. The 3.5 mm system is well recognized worldwide, but in our socioeconomic milieu, this may be good option.4
The trend of using a low profile plate has already started leading to invention of the 2.4 mm locking system.3
REFERENCES
- 1.Jain DKA. Two peg spade plate for distal radius fracture: A novel technique. Indian J Orthop. 2016;50:221. doi: 10.4103/0019-5413.177573. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Hardikar SM, Prakash S, Hardikar MS, Kumar R. Two peg spade plate for distal radius fractures: A novel technique. Indian J Orthop. 2015;49:536–41. doi: 10.4103/0019-5413.164037. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.von Recum J, Matschke S, Jupiter JB, Ring D, Souer JS, Huber M, et al. Characteristics of two different locking compression plates in the volar fixation of complex articular distal radius fractures. Bone Joint Res. 2012;1:111–7. doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.16.2000008. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4.Sobky K, Baldini T, Thomas K, Bach J, Williams A, Wolf JM. Biomechanical comparison of different volar fracture fixation plates for distal radius fractures. Hand (N Y) 2008;3:96–101. doi: 10.1007/s11552-007-9074-y. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]