title: Outcome after surgery of distal radius fractures: no differences between external fixation and ORIF.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate surgical treatment from three procedures used for fractures of the distal radius. In a retrospective comparative study, 166 out of 237 patients who underwent surgery for AO/ASIF A3 or C2 distal radius fractures were evaluated. Surgical procedures were external fixation or open reduction and internal fixation with either palmar or dorsal plates. Radiological outcomes were palmar tilt, radial angle, radial length and ulnar variance. Functional outcomes were range of motion and grip strength. In addition, outcomes according to Gartland and Werley and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire were compared. Further outcome criteria were the treatment time and the number of complications. Data were analysed using an analysis of variance statistical procedure respective of the chi2-test. Open reduction and internal fixation, in particular palmar plate fixation, demonstrated the best radiological and functional results. Subjective assessment of ORIF proved better than that of external fixation as treatment time was shorter and complications were more rarely seen. However, most of the differences between groups were not significant. Although there were no significant differences between groups, our data indicates that most dorsally displaced distal radius fractures can be treated successfully by open reduction and internal fixation. Palmar plate fixation seems to have slight advantages compared to both the external fixation and dorsal plate fixation surgical procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany. thomas.westphal@kliniksued-rostock.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Westphal
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piatek
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Winckler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000601:surgery