Distal Radius Volar Locking Plate

Josh Tadlock,MD

Content Contributor

Evolution of Distal Radius Volar Locking Plate

The advent of volar locking plates has seemed to solve some of these issues. Popularized in the early 2000s, these plates allow for stable fixation of the fracture so that patients may begin early range of motion to prevent stiffness of the wrist joint and also do not irritate the tendons of the wrist because of their low-profile design.

Additionally, the advent of screws that lock in to the plate and prevent any motion between the plate and screw (also called “locking screws”) allow these plates to have keep the distal radius aligned appropriately. These volar locking plates have become commonplace in distal radius surgery for their versatility.

Technology Spotlight

Acumed Acu-Lock Wrist Plating System

The Acu-Lock Wrist Plating System by Acumed is one of these commonly used volar locking plates for distal radius fractures. These system offers a wide variety of plates that are specifically contoured to fit the anatomy of the distal radius.

They have multiple sizes of these plates to accommodate differences in the size of radius, as well as longer plates that can be used for fractures that involve the shaft of the radius. Each plate has small holes that wires can be placed into to prevent the plate from moving while screws are being drilled. These plates come with predetermined screw position and angles to allow the surgery to safely and precisely place screws.