Primary bone grafting does not improve the results in severely displaced distal radius fractures.
We prospectively randomised 45 patients ages 20-70 years with distal radius fractures of Older type III and IV to one of two treatment groups. One group was treated with closed reduction, primary bone grafting, and external fixation for 3 weeks, followed by a plaster cast that allowed volar flexion, for an additional 3 weeks. The other group was treated with closed reduction and external fixation for 6 weeks. The functional and radiographic results were evaluated. There was no difference between the two groups in either clinical or radiographic outcome. We do not recommend external fixation and primary bone grafting as a routine method in these fractures.
Widman
Jan
J
Ortopedkliniken, S:t Görans sjukhus, Stockholm, Sweden. jan.widman@stgoran.se
Isacson
Johan
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome