COVID19 pandemic: national lockdown imposed and study centre diverted all trauma cases to surrounding hospitals

Intra-articular fractures of the distal radius are common in urban populations and result in significant morbidity in terms of time away from work. Volar plating of the distal radius is a commonly used mode of surgical fixation of this fracture. The joint haematoma resulting from the fracture has been hypothesized to contribute to the post-injury disability. As such, this study aims to examine if the evacuation of the haematoma during volar plating results in superior functional outcomes at three months post surgery.

Distal radius fractures have an incidence of up to 50% of all fractures, with up to two thirds being intra-articular fractures. While most fractures treated with a variety of methods achieve satisfactory patient reported outcomes at one year post treatment, patients experience pain and functional impairment up to 3 and 6 months post treatment. Open reduction and internal fixation using volar plates is one popular mode of treatment. It is relatively widely available and allows almost immediate post operative mobilisation and rehabilitation.

One theory which could explain the delay in functional recovery is the persistence of the intra-articular haematoma. The evacuation of this haematoma may be partly responsible for the satisfactory results published by authors who perform wrist arthroscopy assisted distal radius fixation.

In our literature review, it is not routine to evacuate this haematoma during conventional volar plating of the distal radius. As such, we aim to study if the evacuation of the haematoma in conjunction with volar plating confers functional benefits in the short term, particularly at 3 months post surgery.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Skeletally mature patients of either sex who sustain closed fractures of the distal end radius involving the articular surface, between the ages of 18 and 65

The fracture pattern is of an unacceptable morphology as defined by the following radiographic parameters according to the 2009 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Clinical Guidelines (Lichtmann, Bindra et al. 2010):

>3 mm radial shortening >10° dorsal tilt >2 mm articular displacement The patient has been planned to undergo VLPF Femalepatientswilleitherbe Post-menopausal Surgically sterile If of childbearing age, must have a negative urine pregnancy test at screening and at randomisation. Pregnancy tests will be repeated during each visit.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Open fractures Associated fractures around the wrist (e.g. carpal bones, metacarpals, phalanges) requiring different or additional methods of fracture fixation and stabilisation Polytraumatised patients Compartmentsyndromeoftheforearmorhand Neurovascular injury of the ipsilateral limb Concomitantfractureoftheipsilateraland/orcontralateralupperlimbwhichmayimpede post-operative rehabilitation Fractures exceeding 14 days duration during time of first presentation

Pre-existing conditions such as:

Inflammatory arthritides Connective tissue diseases Diseases of bone metabolism (except osteoporosis) Prior malunited/nonunited fractures of the ipsilateral limb Pregnancy Patients unfit for surgery due to poor general condition Inability or unwillingness to provide written consent. Inability or unwillingness to comply with the requirements of the protocol as determined by the investigator.

Participant results only will be made available to other researchers from University of Malaya should a related study be conducted. Identifying data will not be shared. Participants will be identified by subject ID only

Participants are blinded, since the study procedure will be performed via the incision for the main surgery. Thus no external (wound) evidence of the participant's allocation will be visible.