Early Mobilization After Volar Locking Plate Osteosynthesis of Distal Radius Fractures in Older Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

By: Rachel Reed

Sørensen, T. J., Ohrt-Nissen, S., Ardensø, K. V., Laier, G. H., & Mallet, S. K. (2020). Early Mobilization After Volar Locking Plate Osteosynthesis of Distal Radial Fractures in Older Patients-A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of hand surgery, S0363-5023(20)30276-8. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2020.05.009

The Skinny:

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine if early mobilization following open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of distal radius fractures (DRFs) was more functionally beneficial for adults older than 50 years when compared to late mobilization. The authors hypothesized that patients would report higher positive outcomes with early mobilization; however, they found no significant differences between the two groups in ROM, grip strength, or DASH scores when assessed at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery.

In the Weeds:

This was a single-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) that took place over an 11-month period. The participants in this study received a volar locking plate (volar bearing plate) following a DRF (volar locking plate distal radius fracture). After surgery, they were randomly allocated to either the early mobilization (E-MOB) group or to the late mobilization (L-MOB) group. There was a total of 95 patients enrolled in this study; there were 47 patients in the E-MOB group and 48 in the L-MOB group. 

The patients in the E-MOB group were provided with:

• A removable orthosis and daily exercises
• Non-weight-bearing exercises of the fingers and wrist from the first postoperative day

Patients in the L-MOB group were provided with: 

• A dorsal plaster cast for 2 weeks
• After 2 weeks, a removable orthosis and exercises

The patients were assessed using range of motion (ROM), grip strength, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. Both groups improved when they were measured at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Additionally, there were no significant differences in DASH scores between the two groups at any point in time (P > .05). 

Bringing it Home:

Because there were no significant differences in assessment measures between the two groups at any point in time, the authors concluded that early mobilization after surgery to treat distal radius fractures does not lead to improved patient-reported outcomes. 

Rating: 

3/5 – This study was interesting to read and had potential to inform practice guidelines. However, there were significant limitations to this study. The fact that the authors of this study defined late mobilization as immobilization lasting for only 2 weeks does not reflect the variation of late mobilization practices that are often put into practice by surgeons and doctors. Two weeks is still relatively early. In addition, the patient’s adherence to their home program was not monitored, which may have skewed data. It is also important to consider that the E-MOB group may not have had early mobilization exercises prescribed that were active enough to have a significant effect on their recovery (volar plate surgery recovery time is being reduced) when compared to the L-MOB group.