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Comparative Studies | Orthopaedic Surgery | India | Volume 13 Issue 9, September 2024 | Rating: 5.7 / 10
The Clinical and Functional Outcome of Diaphyseal Humerus Fractures Treated with Locking Compression Plate as Compared to Dynamic Compression Plate
Dr. Basanth Reddy A, Dr. Nagakumar J S, Dr. Hrushikesh Bandaru
Abstract: Background: Plate osteosynthesis continues to be the preferred technique for repairing humeral shaft fractures compared to alternative approaches. These fractures are typically treated with either a locking compression plate (LCP) or a dynamic compression plate (DCP) implant. However, there is a shortage of comparative research examining the successful outcomes of these two implant forms in the management of humeral shaft fractures. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and functional outcome of LCP over DCP in the management of diaphyseal fractures of the humerus. Methodology: The sixty cases of humerus shaft fractures that underwent plate osteosynthesis at Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research Tamaka, Kolar between January 2020 and January 2024 were selected for the observational hospital-based study. 30 patients in Group A were managed with the LCP while 30 patients in group B were managed with the DCP. Every piece of information was gathered through a three-part, semi-structured questionnaire. Part-1 comprised socio-demographic information, whereas Part-2 detailed the patient's symptoms, comprehensive injury history, and the existence of any comorbidities. The third section comprised information regarding pain and disability. Patients were followed up with six weeks, three months, and six months after a surgical procedure. While functional outcomes were evaluated utilizing Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scoring, pain was assessed utilizing VAS scores. Results: In the present study, the mean age of the patients in DCP and LCP groups were 34 ? 7.96 and 32.6 ? 9.24 years respectively. The fisher?s exact test shows that baseline demographic details and nature of the fractures of the enrolled patients did not differ significantly between the two study groups. The severity of pain decreased from 7.13 at 6 weeks to 4.27 at 3 months and then decreased further to 2.33 at 6 months in DCP group. Similarly, the severity of pain decreased from 6.93 at 6 weeks to 4.13 at 3 months and then decreased further to 2.53 at 6 months in LCP group and this difference in mean pain score as measured by VAS was statistically significant by Paired T test (P value 0.0001). The severity of disability decreased from 56.07 at 6 weeks to 32.07 at 3 months and then decreased further to 11.93 at 6 months in DCP group. Similarly, the severity of disability decreased from 56.13 at 6 weeks to 31.87 at 3 months and then decreased further to 12.33 at 6 months in LCP group and this difference in mean disability score as measured by DASH was statistically significant by Paired T test (P value 0.0001). There was no notable difference in pain score and disability score between the DCP and LCP group at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months following the surgical intervention. These differences in pain score and disability score between the DCP and LCP group was not statistically significant by Independent T test (p value > 0.05). Conclusion: The functional outcomes of the LCP and DCP research groups were similar, suggesting that the results of both surgical treatments are comparable. There were no documented complications in any of the research groups, showing that both techniques are considered safe.
Keywords: Locking compression plate, dynamic compression plate, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, Humeral shaft fractures, Visual Analog Scale
Edition: Volume 13 Issue 9, September 2024,
Pages: 1531 - 1538