Dorsal Tangential View of the Wrist to Detect Screw Penetration to the Dorsal Cortex of the Distal Radius after Volar Fixed-Angle Plating

BACKGROUND: Extensor tendon irritation and attritional tendon ruptures are well-recognized complications, secondary to dorsal screw penetration following volar plating of the distal radius. Lateral and oblique views of the wrist have limited ability to detect such penetration, particularly at the ulnar side of the Lister's tubercle. In this report, we conducted an intraoperative fluoroscopic study to determine dorsal screw penetration in various positions of the wrist/forearm and compared the standard radiographic views (lateral, supination, and pronation views) with dorsal tangential view of the wrist. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Standard lateral, oblique (in pronation and supination), and dorsal tangential views were obtained in 27 consecutive patients undergoing fixation a distal radius fractures using a volar plate. The number of penetrating screws in each dorsal compartment (second, third, fourth) was recorded in each view. Dorsal tangential view was obtained using a mini C-arm intraoperatively and sending the beam parallel to the dorsal aspect of the wrist in transverse plane. RESULTS: Of the 125 distal screws, 8 screws were seen to be penetrating the dorsal cortex in lateral and oblique views, whereas 11 screws were detected in dorsal tangential view. CONCLUSION: The screw penetration to the third dorsal compartment was missed in standard views, but visualized in dorsal tangential view. We recommend the use of dorsal tangential view in addition to standard lateral and oblique views during volar plating of the distal radius.