title: Outcomes of pin and plaster versus locking plate in distal radius intraarticular fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Distal radius fractures are among the most prevalent fractures predictive of probable occurrence of other osteoporotic fractures. They are treated via a variety of methods, but the best treatment has not been defined yet.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to compare the results of open reduction and internal fixation with locking plates versus the pin and plaster method.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, 114 patients aged 40 to 60 years with Fernandez type III fracture referring to Imam-Reza and Mehr hospitals of Mashhad from 2009 to 2011, were selected randomly; after obtaining informed consent, they were treated with pin and plaster fixation (n = 57) or internal fixation with the volar locking plate (n = 57). They were compared at the one year follow up. Demographic features and standard radiographic indices were recorded and MAYO, DASH and SF - 36 tests were performed. Data was analyzed by SPSS software version 13, with descriptive indices, Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SF-36 test demonstrated a better general health (P < 0.001), mental health (P = 0.006), physical functioning (P < 0.001), social functioning (P < 0.001) and energy/fatigue (P < 0.001) in LCP group. However, pain (P = 0.647) was not significantly different between the groups. Physical limitation (P < 0.001) and emotional limitation (P < 0.001) were greater in the pin and plaster group. Also, in the LCP group mean MAYO score (P < 0.001) was more than pin and plaster group. Mean DASH score was not different between the groups (P = 0.218). The rate of acceptable results of radiographic indices (P < 0.001), grip strength (P < 0.001) and range of motion in supination-pronation (P < 0.001) in LCP method were better than the pin and plaster method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In treatment of intra-articular distal radius fractures in middle-aged patients internal fixation with locking plates may be prefered to pin and plaster as the treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Mashhad Orthopedic and Trauma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahari-Kashani
authors.affiliation: Mashhad Orthopedic and Trauma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hosein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Taraz-Jamshidy
authors.affiliation: Mashhad Orthopedic and Trauma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rahimi
authors.affiliation: Mashhad Orthopedic and Trauma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hami
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirkazemy
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Amirreza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fatehi
authors.affiliation: Mashhad Orthopedic and Trauma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asadian
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Jafar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rezazade
keywords: Internal Fixators; Radius Fracture; Treatment