Radiological study of the optimal position for volar plate insertion of the distal radius assisted by 3d printing technology
Yao Xizhou
Bu Xiaofan
Cai Guoping
He Xianwei
Zhou Lv
Abstract：Objective To determine the optimal placement of volar plates for distal radius fractures using 3D printing technology.Methods DICOM data from 20 patients(10 males and 10 females aged 18-56 years,40.6 years on average)who underwent CT scans of the wrist(10 left side and 10 right)at Jinshan Hospital of Fudan U-niversity from Apr.2022 to Mar.2023 were retrospectively collected.Using Mimics 21.0 software,we segmented and reconstructed 3D models for 3D printing of distal radius models.After simulating surgery,intraoperative images were obtained via C-arm fluoroscopy,evaluated by three experienced surgeons,and analyzed in Mimics 21.0.Point A was defined as the proximal insertion of the brachioradialis tendon,and point B was located 2.0 cm proximal to point A.Perpendicular lines were drawn from points A and B to the radial axis and extended to the ulnar border,yielding intersection points C and D.We measured the lengths of segments AC and BD,as well as the intersections of the ra-dial edge of the volar plate with AC and BD(points E and F),and calculated the ratios AE/AC and BF/BD.Re-sults The mean length of segment AE was(9.93±3.36)mm,and AC was(72.07±6.91)mm.For segment BF,the mean length was(11.25±2.75)mm,and BD was(61.44±6.39)mm.The mean ratios of AE/AC and BF/BD were 0.14±0.04 and 0.18±0.03,respectively.Conclusion This study employs surgical simulation to de-termine the optimal diaphyseal position for volar plating of distal radius fractures,which yields quantitative data and provides guidance for precise plate placement in clinical practice.
Keywords：3D printing technologyDistal radiusVolar plateOptimal positionRadiological study
Publication Date：2026-01-15
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-03(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 55-60 )