title: External fixation versus volar locking plate for displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures: a prospective randomized comparative study of the functional outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of external fixation and volar plating on the functional parameter of displaced intra-articular (Cooney's type IV) distal end radius fractures using the Green and O'Brien scoring system.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective randomized study comprised 68 patients treated with external fixation and 42 patients treated with volar locking plates. The patients were followed up at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. The assessment of pain, range of motion, grip strength and activity were assessed at each follow-up visit and scored according to the Green and O'Brien scoring system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1 year after surgery, we observed that external fixation showed significantly better results than volar locking plates using the Green and O'Brien scores for range of motion (22.0 ± 4.77 vs 19.89 ± 5.05), grip strength (19.91 ± 5.4 vs 16.89 ± 4.4) and final outcome (87.36 ± 11.62 vs 81.55 ± 11.32). No difference was found in pain and activity between these two groups of patients. Patients aged <50 years treated with external fixation showed excellent results (final score (91.57 ± 9.01) at 1 year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  External fixation showed superiority over volar locked plating after 1 year of surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and PG Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453555, India, dr_rajeevshukla@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Rajeev
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Ravi Kant
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Neeraj K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Ravindra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013718:Tensile Strength; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery