Question

Compare the strengths and weaknesses of dorsal and volar forearm platforms

Answer 1

However the both platforms has its own designs and qualities. And the platform must be safe, skillful surgeon and have the least risk of damage to the neurovascular tissues

Dorsal Platform:-

In the dorsal approach, access to the bone is easier and the posterior or tension surface of the bone is in full view which makes it more suitable for the placement of the plate.

Strengths of Dorsal:-

1. A dorsal forearm platform frees the palmar area and enhances sensory feedback.

2. This style is easily to apply and remove if wrist flexion tightness is present.Evenly distribution of the pressure over the larger thermoplastic surface of the dorsal forearm platform.

3. Dorsal forearm platforms relieves skin pressure, provides increased wrist control, and ensures greater comfort.

Weakness:-

There is the possibility of damage to the PI nerve.

Volar Platform:-

Volar Platform is the standard and preferred method for fracture of distal half of radius, but for proximal half is controversial. Generally, the employed method must be safe, and have the least risk of damage to the neurovascular tissuesHowever each platform has own designs and qualities

Strengths of Volar:-

1. The platform that extends into the hand provides greater support for the transverse metacarpal arch.

2. Using a volar platform with a hard cone in the orthokinetic wrist splint , the movable wrist joint allows free motion to occur in wrist flexion and extension

Weakness of Volar :-

1. Less distribution of pressure over the smaller strap surface as compared to dorsal foream

2. It's designs do not extend thermoplastic material over the ulnar styloid, thus avoiding the possibility of pressure over this key bony prominence