Combined Plate Versus External Fixation for Distal Radius Fractures

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the functional and radiological results of patients who had intra-articular comminuted distal radius fractures and were operated on with external fixation percutaneous pinning or the volar-dorsal combined plate osteosynthesis. Methods: In this study, 49 patients operated on and followed up for the comminuted distal radius fractures between May 2015 and January 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. The surgical outcomes of the patients, who were operated on with combined dorsal-volar plate osteosynthesis or external fixation percutaneous pinning, were compared in this study. Functional and radiological scores were evaluated and analyzed statistically. Results: There was no statistical difference between external fixation and volar-dorsal combined plate groups regarding the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Mayo scoring system, range of motion, and grip strength values. Discussion: Although the combined volar-dorsal plate osteosynthesis technique had a longer operation time and a more complicated surgical procedure, the combined volar-dorsal plate osteosynthesis had lower complication rates and permitted early mobilization. The combined volar-dorsal plate osteosynthesis could be an alternative to external fixation percutaneous pinning. Level of Evidence III, Therapeutic Studies Investigating the Results of Treatment.