Clinical and ultrasonographical follow-up after standard removal of distal radius volar plates positioned distal to the watershed line

Marginal fracture types of the distal radius may require volar plate positioning distal to the watershed line. Subsequently, plate prominence with direct friction with the flexor tendons occurs which is associated with flexor tendon pathology. Standard plate removal can be proposed. This cohort study examined clinical outcome, patient satisfaction and ultrasonographical assessment of the relation of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) and the volar rim after standard plate removal. Twenty patients with volar plate prominence after osteosynthesis for distal radius fractures were included. Plate removal was performed at least 4 months after initial surgery. The mean age was 60 years (range 39–84). The average delay from hardware removal to assessment was 2.9 years (range 1.0–5.0 years). Mean flexion, extension and radial deviation were significantly decreased ( p