title: Comparison of intramedullary fixation and percutaneous pinning of displaced and comminuted Colles' fractures: a prospective and consecutive study.
abstract: This consecutive study comprised 86 patients who were available for follow up 5-51 months after sustaining a Colles' fracture--Older type IV. A total of 42 patients were treated with Kirschner (K) wires of whom one had bilateral fracture. Forty-four patients (of whom two had bilateral fractures) were treated with Rush nails. A functional assessment of the patients was made using both a questionnaire and a clinical examination. The end-results of residual deformity, subjective and objective findings, and complications were evaluated according to the Lucas' modification of the Sarmiento demerit point-rating system. At follow-up, the ulnar/radial deviation was significantly better in the patients operated on with K-wires (37 degrees compared with 27 degrees, p < 0.02, range in both groups 0-80 degrees), but no differences were found in the other directions of movement. A total of three patients (7%) developed complications. The final result showed that 40 (93%) of the fractures treated with K-wires were excellent or good compared with 38 (86%) of those operated on with a Rush nail. One fracture in each group (2%) had a poor outcome. Comparison of the final results showed no significant difference between the two groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital of Aarhus, Denmark. jsh@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hede
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Lindblad
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mikkelsen
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Knudsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001858:Bone Nails; D001864:Bone Wires; D003100:Colles' Fracture / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome