Unstable distal radial fractures treated with external fixation, a radial column plate, or a volar plate. A prospective randomized trial.
نویسندگان
چکیده
BACKGROUND Optimal surgical management of unstable distal radial fractures is controversial, and evidence from rigorous comparative trials is rare. We compared the functional outcomes of treatment of unstable distal radial fractures with external fixation, a volar plate, or a radial column plate. METHODS Forty-six patients with an injury to a single limb were randomized to be treated with augmented external fixation (twenty-two patients), a locked volar plate (twelve), or a locked radial column plate (twelve). The fracture classifications included Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) types A3, C1, C2, and C3. The patients completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire at the time of follow-up. Grip and lateral pinch strength, the ranges of motion of the wrist and forearm, and radiographic parameters were also evaluated. RESULTS At six weeks, the mean DASH score for the patients with a volar plate was significantly better than that for the patients treated with external fixation (p = 0.037) but similar to that for the patients with a radial column plate (p = 0.33). At three months, the patients with a volar plate demonstrated a DASH score that was significantly better than that for both the patients treated with external fixation (p = 0.028) and those with a radial column plate (p = 0.027). By six months and one year, all three groups had DASH scores comparable with those for the normal population. At one year, grip strength was similar among the three groups. The lateral pinch strength of the patients with a volar plate was significantly better than that of the patients with a radial column plate at three months (p = 0.042) and one year (p = 0.036), but no other significant differences in lateral pinch strength were found among the three groups at the other follow-up periods. The range of motion of the wrist did not differ significantly among the groups at any time beginning twelve weeks after the surgery. At one year, the patients with a radial column plate had maintained radial inclination and radial length that were significantly better than these measurements in both the patients treated with external fixation and those with a volar plate (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Use of a locked volar plate predictably leads to better patient-reported outcomes (DASH scores) in the first three months after fixation. However, at six months and one year, the outcomes of all three techniques evaluated in this study were found to be excellent, with minimal differences among them in terms of strength, motion, and radiographic alignment.
منابع مشابه
Comparison of volar locking plate and external fixation with K wire augmentation in unstable distal radius fractures
Distal radius fractures are one of the most common injuries and this incidence is likely to increase as the aging population increases. The type of operation and implant is a matter of discussion and randomized trials and meta analyses have failed to recommend the preferred implant. Internal fixation with volar locking plate and external fixation with supplementation with K wire have been succe...
متن کاملUnstable Distal Radial Fractures Treated with External Fixation, a Radial Column Plate, or a Volar Plate
متن کامل
Evaluation of a novel, nonspanning external fixator for treatment of unstable extra-articular fractures of the distal radius: biomechanical comparison with a volar locking plate.
PURPOSE To compare the stability of a novel, nonspanning external fixator with a standard volar locked plate for treatment of unstable distal radius fractures. METHODS A simulated, unstable, extra- articular distal radius fracture was created in six matched pairs of fresh frozen human distal radii. One of each pair was treated with a nonspanning external fixator [Mirza Cross Pin Fixator (CPX)...
متن کاملComparative Analysis of the Complication Profile following Palmar Plating versus External Fixation
Background: Much attention has been given recently to the complication profile of volar plate fixation of distal radial fractures. The purpose of this investigation was to compare complication rates among patients with distal radial fractures treated with volar plating versus those treated with external fixation. Methods: Two parallel series of patients with comminuted intra-articular distal ra...
متن کاملA prospective randomized trial comparing nonoperative treatment with volar locking plate fixation for displaced and unstable distal radial fractures in patients sixty-five years of age and older.
BACKGROUND Despite the recent trend toward the internal fixation of distal radial fractures in older patients, the currently available literature lacks adequate randomized trials examining whether open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with a volar locking plate is superior to nonoperative (cast) treatment. The purpose of the present randomized clinical trial was to compare the outcomes of...
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ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume
دوره 91 7 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2009