A 52-year-old, right hand-dominant female teacher presents 4 weeks after volar plate fixation of a distal radius fracture. Her wound is healed. She has full finger and forearm motion and 30 degrees each of wrist flexion and extension. She is wondering whether the plate and screws can cause problems and whether they should be removed.

What is prevalence of and risk factors for adverse events associated with volar plate fixation of a fracture of the distal radius?

Volar plating fixation is a popular choice for operative stabilization of an unstable fracture of the distal
radius. Adverse events that are either possibly or definitely related to the implant include extensor and flexor tendon rupture, intra-articular screw penetration, and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).