title: Anatomical reduction of intra-articular fractures of the distal radius. An arthroscopically-assisted approach.
abstract: We treated 31 intra-articular fractures of the distal radius by arthroscopically-assisted reduction and percutaneous fixation with Kirschner (K-) wires. Tears of the triangular fibrocartilage (58 %), scapholunate (85 %) and lunotriquetral (61%) instability and osteochondral lesions (19%) were also treated. A total of 26 patients was independently reviewed at an average of 19 months. The mean pain score was 1.3/10, the range of movement 79% and the grip strength 90% of the contralateral wrist. Using the New York Orthopaedic Hospital score, 88% were graded excellent to good. On follow-up radiographs, 65% had no step and 31% had a step of < or =1 mm. Pain was significantly related to the size of the step. There was a significant difference in the incidence of persistent scapholunate diastasis and the Leibovic and Geissler grade (p < 0.01): I (0%), II (0%), III (42%) and IV (100%). We recommend anatomical reduction and acceptance of a step of <1 mm since the size of the step is related to the incidence of pain.
authors.affiliation: Modbury Public Hospital, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: G I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Bain
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Heptinstall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001864:Bone Wires; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*