Abstract
Distal radius fractures are a common disorder in industrialized nations associated
with osteoporosis, with a reported incidence of two fractures per thousand patients
per year. We performed a retrospective study comparing two sets of 40 patients, with
fracture of the distal radius treated with Penning external fixator, compared to 40
patients treated with fixed-angle volar-locking plate (Plate Depuy ® DVR), with the objective of finding differences between both treatment methods in
anatomical values, functional outcomes and complication rates. All fractures were
classified according to the AO classification. Postero-anterior and lateral radiographs
of the wrist were taken after fracture, after surgery and at 6 months after surgery.
We also assessed functional outcome. Minimum follow up was of 10 months. We compared
complications between both groups. In the group of patients treated with fixed-angle
volar-locked plate, radiological results are found to be closer to the anatomical
references. Final outcomes revealed similar functional scores between both groups.
The complications rate was statistically higher in the group of patients who underwent
external fixation. In the fixed-angle volar-locked plate group, most of complications
were related to patient discomfort due to the volar-locking plate.
Keywords
External-fixator - Radius - Plate - Fracture - Complications
