title: Effectiveness of external fixator combined with T-plate internal fixation for the treatment of comminuted distal radius fractures.
abstract: This study compared the efficacy between external fixator combined with palmar T-plate internal fixation and simple plate internal fixation for the treatment of comminuted distal radius fractures. A total of 61 patients classified as type C according to the AO/ASIF classification underwent surgery for comminuted distal radius fractures. There were 54 and 7 cases of closed and open fractures, respectively. Moreover, 19 patients received an external fixator combined with T-plate internal fixation, and 42 received simple plate internal fixation. All patients were treated successfully during 12-month postoperative follow-up. The follow-up results show that the palmar flexion and dorsiflexion of the wrist, radial height, and palmar angle were significantly better in those treated with the external fixator combined with T-plate compared to those treated with the simple plate only (P < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences in radial-ulnar deviation, wrist range of motion, or wrist function score between groups (P > 0.05). Hence, the effectiveness of external fixator combined with T-plate internal fixation for the treatment of comminuted distal radius fractures was satisfactory. Patients sufficiently recovered wrist, forearm, and hand function. In conclusion, compared to the simple T-plate, the external fixator combined with T-plate internal fixation can reduce the possibility of the postoperative re-shifting of broken bones and keep the distraction of fractures to maintain radial height and prevent radial shortening.
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China.
authors: L R
authors: LR
authors: Han
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China.
authors: C X
authors: CX
authors: Jin
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China junycn@yeah.net.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Yan
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China.
authors: S Z
authors: SZ
authors: Han
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China.
authors: X B
authors: XB
authors: He
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China.
authors: X F
authors: XF
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome