BackgroundThe aim of this study was to find out whether distal radius fractures treated by Kirschner wire (K wire) fixation loose reduction after wire removal and analyze the variables may influence this.Materials and methodsPatients who underwent K wire fixation for unstable fractures of distal radius over a period of 3 years were included in this retrospective study. Fractures were classified according to AO classification. Radiographs taken just prior to removal of K wires and radiographs taken at least 1 month after wire removal were analyzed to study three radiological parameters; Palmar or dorsal tilt, radial inclination and ulnar variance. Loss of these angles was analyzed statistically against variables like age, sex, AO classification and duration of fixation.Results59 fractures were analyzed with mean age of 56 years and male to female ratio of 1:2. Average loss of radial tilt was 2.6°, loss of palmar tilt was 2.6° and loss of ulnar variance was 1.3 mm.ConclusionsWe found that distal radius fractures treated by percutaneous K wire fixation, did not suffer significant loss of reduction of fracture position after removal of wires. This remains true regardless of age, sex, fracture type according to AO type or duration of wire fixation.
Background: The management of fractures of the distal radius is constantly in the focus of analysis. Several new operative strategies have been developed recently. This study reviews the results of 20 patients with a fracture of the distal radius that were treated with a new multidirectional fixed angle plate.Method and materials: Twenty patients with closed Colles' type fractures of the distal radius were treated with Medartis (Aptus) palmar fixedangle plates. Surgery was performed in plexus anaesthesia using the standard or extended FCR-approach. Patients were evaluated postoperatively at an average of 26 (ranges: 23-8) weeks in a prospective manner. Pain, range of motion, grip strength, DASH score, modified Mayo wrist score and radiograms were obtained. Level of significance was set at 95%, the chi-squared and ANOVA tests in combination with a post hoc Tukey test were used for analysis.Results: The average range of motion (ROM) in extension/flexion was 87 • (76% of the contralateral side) and in ulnar/radial deviation was 42 • (88% of the contralateral side). Immediate postoperative pain values (Visual Analogue Scale 0-00) were 57 (non-stress) and 66 (stress). Both were significantly reduced at follow-up (3 (non-stress) and 24 (stress)). Grip strength improved from 9% of the contralateral side immediately post-operatively to 84% at follow-up. The mean DASH-score improved to 13 ± 13 points. The modified Mayo wrist score showed with 83 ± 27 points an excellent result. The patients reported low disability in the overall function of the injured extremity with 78% of the pre-operative function. The overall treatment of the fracture was found to be satisfactory by 82% of the patients. Surgeons reported a satisfactory handling of the implant in 92% of the cases. Radiological examination showed a satisfactory result with an ulnar variance of 0.9 ± 0.4 mm, radioulnar inclination of 21 ± 5 • and palmar inclination of 4 ± 6 • .
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