Refracture rate after plate removal from the radial metaphysis.

OBJECTIVES To document the refracture rate after removal of internal fixation at the metaphyseal region of the distal radius and to compare this rate to that associated with diaphyseal plate removal reported in the literature. DESIGN A chart review with telephone follow-up. SETTING Three tertiary care hospitals (in Ottawa, Burlington, Vt., and London, Ont.). PATIENTS Fifty-three patients (54 radii) underwent elective removal of internal fixation of the distal radius after distal metaphyseal procedures. The mean follow-up was 46.8 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The refracture rate. RESULTS No refractures were reported after plate removal, and the overall complication rate was minimal. CONCLUSIONS The refracture rate at the metaphvsis of the radius after plate removal is lower than the rate after diaphyseal plate removal reported in the literature.