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Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results and complications of locked palmar plating in patients with articular fracture of the distal radius. Methods: Twenty-two patients were reviewed retrospectively. The average age was 68 years. All fractures were classified as Type C according to the AO classification. Clinical and functional examination including range of motion, grip strength, pain and return to previous activities were assessed. Loss of radial height, radial inclination, palmar tilt and ulnar variance were evaluated with preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Results: At an average follow-up of 10 months, the range of motion was 124° in flexion and extension and 178° in pronation and supination. Grip strength was 80% of the opposite side. Fifteen patients were free of pain. Three patients suffered tenosynovitis of the extensor tendons. Radiographic measurements averaged 11mm radial height, 21° radial inclination, 4° palmar tilt and 1mm ulnar variance. Conclusions: The result of this study showed that locked palmar plating of articular distal radius fractures is effective even in cases of metaphyseal comminution with a low rate of complications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Elbow dislocations in the infant are not very frequent and are associated to the fractures. Their management must be urgent and rigorous if complications are to be avoided. We report the case of a child aged 12 who presented with a fracture-dislocation of the right elbow, after falling from a tree. The patient was treated in a standard manner for one month. Four months later, the patient presented again, this time complaining of stiffness of the elbow. Physical examination confirmed the reduced range of movement of the elbow (flexion 80°, extension –30°) without associated neurovascular complication. Radiography of the elbow showed a posterior dislocation with remodelling of the humeral contours. Surgical exploration revealed normal articular cartilage, a pseudoarthrosis of the epitrochlea, a dislocation of the radial head and the sigmoid fossa of small size in relation to the trochlea. A reduction was only possible after an "enlargement plasty" of the trochlear notch. The patient was seen after an interval of six months. The elbow was stable with no vasculo-nervous complication.and had flexion of 110° with extension of –30°. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]