Functional outcome of external fixator application vs volar plating for intrarticular distal radius fractures: A long term prospective study

Background: Distal radius fractures are one of the commonest injuries only after clavicle fractures. These fractures poses challenges to the treating surgeons as a result of which these fractures are sometime treated unacceptably and leads to poor outcome. Among various treatment options for these fractures wrist sparing Cobra external fixator is one of the options with an impressive stability and outstanding functional outcomes.Aims and Objectives: To determine whether this system can achieve adequate reduction of a variety of DRF, is able to maintain reduction despite hand and wrist movements, whether it compromises hand and wrist functions and leads to long term problems.Materials and Methods: From July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017, all skeletally matured patients with acute distal radius fractures (AO-A2, B1, C1, C2) were adequately reduced and fixed with Cobra ex-fix. Immediately post-op patients were encouraged to start range of motion of the wrist as the pain decreased. The patients were followed up in 2,4 and 8 weeks and were analyzed clinically, radiologically, their functional outcomes and any complications.Results: Twenty-two patients were included in our study. Nine were males and 13 were females. Using the AO classification, 15 were classified as A2, 2 were B1, 3 were C1, and 2 were C2. The mean number of weeks the cobra fixator was maintained was 5.3 weeks. The Cobra ex-fix was able to achieve excellent maintenance of radial height and radial inclination and good maintenance of dorsal tilt. Recovery of functional activities according to Gartland and Werley’s functional scoring system was good to excellent in all patients at 8 weeks follow-up.Conclusion: The Cobra external fixation system is an outstanding device for use in fractures of the distal radius. It achieves superior anatomic correction and is dependable in maintaining fracture reduction even with hand and wrist use.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.9(6) 2018 84-89

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Long-term functional outcome of distal radius fractures is associated with early post-fracture bone stiffness of the fracture region: An HR-pQCT exploratory study

Bone ◽

10.1016/j.bone.2019.06.013 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 127 ◽

pp. 510-516 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

F.L. Heyer ◽

J.J.A. de Jong ◽

P.C. Willems ◽

J.J. Arts ◽

S.G.P. Bours ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

Distal Radius ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

Bone Stiffness ◽

Fracture Region ◽

Fracture Bone

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External and internal fixation for comminuted intra-articular fractures of distal radius

Kathmandu University Medical Journal ◽

10.3126/kumj.v7i4.2756 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 369-373 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

RL Pradhan ◽

S Lakhey ◽

BK Pandey ◽

RR Manandhar ◽

KP Rijal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Internal Fixation ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

External Fixation ◽

Distal Radius ◽

Open Reduction ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

High Rate ◽

Volar Plating ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

Articular Fractures

Background: Distal radius fractures are a common injury and without proper treatment leads to high functional impairment and frequent complications. Objective: The aim of this study was to see the functional outcome in patients with comminuted distal radius fractures treated with combined external fixation and open reduction with volar plating. Materials and methods: All comminuted distal radius fractures classified as type C in AO/OTA classification were enrolled for the study from 2005 till 2008. The clinical scoring chart modified by Cooney was used to evaluate the functional outcome. Results: There were twenty-two patients with the average age of 42.18 years (range 19-60) with 15 male and 7 females. The follow-up period was from 14 to 46 months. Accordingly, there were 11 (50%) excellent, 7 (31%) good, 2 (9%) fair and 2 (9%) poor results. There were very few complications in our series. In three patients additional K-wire supplementation was necessary along with external and open internal fixation. Conclusions: Comminuted intra-articular fractures of distal radius should be treated by open reduction and combined internal and external fixation to achieve a high rate of patient satisfaction and satisfactory functional outcome. Key words: distal radius fractures; volar plating; external fixationDOI: 10.3126/kumj.v7i4.2756 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2009) Vol.7, No.4 Issue 28, 369-373

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Dorsally displaced distal radius fractures treated by fixed-angle volar plating: Grip and pronosupination strength recovery. A prospective study

Orthopaedics & Traumatology Surgery & Research ◽

10.1016/j.otsr.2011.01.016 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 97 (5) ◽

pp. 465-470 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

J.-M. Chirpaz-Cerbat ◽

S. Ruatti ◽

C. Houillon ◽

S. Ionescu

Keyword(s):

Prospective Study ◽

Distal Radius ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

Volar Plating ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

Fixed Angle ◽

Strength Recovery ◽

A Prospective Study

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A prospective study to assess the functional outcome of AO Type 23.B3 distal radius fractures treated with volar locking plate osteosynthesis

International Journal of Orthopaedics Sciences ◽

10.22271/ortho.2020.v6.i4l.2427 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 831-834

Author(s):

Dr. Pradeep E ◽

Dr. Sathik Babu MB ◽

Dr. Prajin Raj M ◽

Dr. Dinesh Kumar S

Keyword(s):

Prospective Study ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Distal Radius ◽

Locking Plate ◽

Plate Osteosynthesis ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

Volar Locking Plate ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

Locking Plate Osteosynthesis ◽

A Prospective Study

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A comparative study of functional outcome of external fixation and volar plating in unstable distal radius fractures

International Journal of Research in Orthopaedics ◽

10.18203/issn.2455-4510.intjresorthop20190800 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 326 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anil Kumar Mishra ◽

Ajay Deep Sud ◽

Manish Prasad ◽

Rajiv Kaul ◽

Chander Mohan Singh

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

External Fixation ◽

Distal Radius ◽

Plate Fixation ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

Volar Plating ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

Time Intervals ◽

Post Surgery ◽

Volar Plate Fixation

Background: Distal radius fractures are amongst the most common injuries seen in the emergency department. It is imperative to restore the anatomy as much as possible in order to restore wrist function. Identifying a fracture as ‘unstable’ is critical in predicting the final outcome of treatment. The present study compares two primary modalities of treatment: external fixation and volar plating in terms of the functional outcome post-surgery. Aim of the study was to compare the functional outcome of fixation of unstable distal radius fractures by external fixation to that of volar plating by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scoring system and analysis of recovery of grip strength and range of motion. Settings and design: Hospital-based; randomized control trial.Methods: 80 patients presenting with unstable distal radius fractures were randomized into two groups of 40 each. One group received external fixation and the second received open reduction with volar plate fixation as the primary intervention. DASH scores were obtained and compared at specified time intervals following surgery.Results: The results of our study show a better improvement in the mean DASH scores at 3, 6 and 12 months in the volar plating group as compared to the external fixation group.Conclusions: Volar plating, with its definitive advantage of direct fracture visualization, has an overall better functional outcome with greater postoperative wrist motion and a lower incidence of complications.

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