Cast vs external fixation: a comparative study in elderly osteoporotic distal radial fracture patients.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared fracture treatment with plaster cast vs external fixation.


METHODS
Forty elderly female osteoporotic wrist fracture patients were randomized to be treated with either plaster cast (Group A) or external fixation (Group B). Bone mineral density less than -2.5 T-score was among the inclusion criteria.


RESULTS
In Group A, four redisplacements occurred, whereas in Group B there were none (p = 0.005). Horesh score was higher in Group B (p < 0.006) than in Group A. Volar angle deformity (p < 0.0005) and radial angle deformity (p = 0.008) were lower in Group B.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that external fixation improves stability in elderly osteoporotic wrist fracture patients.
Moroni
A
A
University of Bologna, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy. a.moroni@ior.it
Vannini
F
F
Faldini
C
C
Pegreffi
F
F
Giannini
S
S
D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D001863:Bone Screws; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome