ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of external fixation and volar locking compression plate in the treatment of distal radius fractures of type C. MethodsBetween March 2012 and March 2013, 122 patients with distal radius fractures of type C were enrolled in the prospective randomized study. Fractures were treated by external fixation in 61 patients (external fixation group) and by open reduction and internal fixation using a volar locking compression plate in 61 patients (plate group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, fracture side, weight, height, body mass index, fracture type, and interval of injury and operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). The blood loss, operation time, hospitalization days, fracture union time, wrist function, and complications were compared between 2 groups. And the quality of reduction was observed, including volar tilting angle, ulnar deviation, radial height, and articular reduction. ResultsThe blood loss, operation time, and hospitalization days in plate group were significantly higher than those in external fixation group (P<0.05). All of the patients in both groups were followed up 12-28 months. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (6.6%) of external fixation group (pin tract infection in 2 cases and radial nerve neuritis in 2 cases) and in 5 patients (8.2%) of plate group (wound infection in 1 case, carpal tunnel syndrome in 2 cases, and tendon rupture in 2 cases), showing no significant difference between 2 groups (P=0.500). The X-ray films showed fracture healing in all patients of 2 groups; the union time of plate group was significantly longer than that of external fixation group (P<0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in ulnar deviation and radial height between 2 groups (P>0.05), but the volar tilting angle of plate group was significantly larger than that of external fixation group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in wrist function and articular reduction between 2 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionFor distal radius fractures of type C, the use of external fixation or volar locking compression plate can obtain satisfactory clinical outcomes, but the external fixation has the advantages of less invasion, shorter hospitalization days, minor complications, and faster fracture union.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness on the distal radius deformity and bone defect after trauma by using Ilizarov external fixator.MethodsThe clinical data of 9 patients of post-traumatic distal radius deformity with bone defect treated by Ilizarov technique between January 2012 and December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 2 females with an average age of 25.6 years (range, 11-46 years). Of the 9 cases, 4 were radial baseball hand deformity with large bone defect, 4 were short deformity of distal radius, 1 was distal radius deformity with radial deflection and pronation deformity, all with distal dislocation of the distant radial-ulnar joint. The time from injury to operation was 6 months to 6.2 years (mean, 1.5 years). The bone defect was 1.4-6.8 cm (mean, 3.6 cm). After complete debridement, the forearm was fixed with Ilizarov external fixator. At 7 days after operation, bone transport or bone lengthening was performed at the rate of 0.8-1 mm/d, 4 times a day, the deformity was slowly corrected and the bone defect was repaired. According to the loss of palmar tilt angle and ulnar tilt angle measured before operation, the position of distal radial articular surface was gradually adjusted in the course of moving or prolonging, so as to restore palmar tilt angle and ulnar tilt angle as far as possible.ResultsAll wounds healed by first intention and no leakage or rupture occurred. All the 9 patients were followed up 15-36 months (mean, 23 months). All the radius defects healed and the distal deformity was corrected, the healing time was 92.4-138.6 days (mean, 104.7 days); the external fixation index was 32.6-51.1 days/cm (mean, 40.2 days/cm). After 2 months of external fixator removal, the wrist joint flexion was (42.6±3.1)°, the wrist dorsum extension was (48.5±4.7)°, the palm inclination angle was (11.5±1.3)°, and the ulnar deviation angle was (21.2±3.7)°; the elbow flexion was (128.2±6.4)°, the elbow extension was (3.2±2.1)°, the forearm pronation was (71.5±4.3)°, and the forearm rotation was (38.2±6.5)°; the wrist and elbow joint extension and forearm rotation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05). At last follow-up, wrist function was assessed according to Gartland-Werley standard, the results were excellent in 3 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 1 case. Four cases had pinhole infection, and were cured after anti inflammatory dressing change or replacement of needles; 3 cases did not heal at the bone junction, and were healed after bone grafting; 4 cases deviated from the radial force line, and the deformity was corrected after adjusting the needle.ConclusionIlizarov technique can correct deformity and reconstruct bone defect of the post-traumatic distal radius simultaneously, so it is a good method to treat this kind of disease.
Objective To investigate the operative indication and clinical efficacy of combination of external fixator and volar approach fixation in treatingdistal radius fracture. Methods From March 2000 to March 2005, 28 patients with distal radius fracture were treated with combination of external fixator and volar approach fixation. Dorsal external fixator was used to maintain wrist in functional position, combinated volar plate or Kirschner wire fixation after reduction was achieved. Bone graft was necessary if there were severe comminuted cortical bone or compress of cancellous bone. Of 28 patients, there were 21 males and 7 females, aging from 1854 years with a median age of 41 years. The locations were the left side in 4 cases and the right side in 24 cases. According to typing criterion for AO, 18 cases were classified as C2 and 10 cases as C3. One case wasaccompanied with dislocation of lunate bone. Results Among 28 patients, 24 were followed up for an average of 8.5 months. The anatomical relationship of their wristjoint were reestablished and retained. Overall good to excellent results were achieved in 87%, excellent in 16 cases, good in 5 cases and fair in 3 cases. Conclusion A combination of external fixator and volar approach fixation is an effective method of treating fractures of the distal radius，because distal radius fracture is unstable or difficult to close reduction. Volarfixation can avoid operative complication, and external fixator can obtain satisfactory reduction and function.
Objective To evaluate the effects of T-shaped plate internal fixation in treatment of intra-articular fracture of distal radius. Methods From January 2005 to March 2008, 52 cases of intra-articular fracture of distal radius were treated, including 32 males and 20 females and aging 21-60 years old (mean 47 years old). Fracture was caused by tumbl ing in 30 cases, by fall ing from height in 8 cases, by traffic accident in 11 cases, and by a crashing object in 3 cases. Of 52 cases,there were 50 cases of closed fracture and 2 cases of open fracture. According to AO standard of classification, there were 14 cases of B2 type, 16 cases of B3 type, 15 cases of C1 type, 6 cases of C2 type, and 1 case of C3 type. According to the Cooney’ s general standard of classification of unstable fracture, there were 5 cases of type II, 10 cases of type III, and 37 cases of type IV. The time from injury to operation was 3-14 days (mean 5 days). All patitents received open reduction and T-shaped plate fixation. Seven patients having bone defect were given 6-15 g autologous il ium or 5 mL calcium sulphate artificial aggregate after reduction. Results All incisions healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up for 15 to 30 months postoperatively (mean 24 months). The X-ray films showed good anatomical reduction, even articular surface and no lossening of internal fixation in all the cases. The fractures healed within 9-15 weeks after operation (mean 12 weeks). At last follow-up, the mean palmar tilt was 8° and the mean ulnar variance was 21°, showing statistically significant differences when compared preoperation (— 5° and 5°, P lt; 0.05). The radial length were not abbreviated. According to Dienst assessment, the results were excellent in 42 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 5 cases and poor in 2 cases 12 weeks after operation, and the excellent and good rate was 86.5%. Conclusion T-shaped plate fixation is rel iable and effective in treatment of intra-articular fracture of distal radius because it has less coml ication of infection, loosening of internal fixation, reduction failure and tendon rupture.
Objective To study the cl inical outcomes of Numelock II polyaxial system in treatment of type C fractures of the distal radius. Methods From March 2006 to June 2007, 12 cases of type C distal radial fractures (6 males and 6 females)were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. The mean age of the patients was 48.2 years (34-64 years)．The locations were left wrist in 5 cases and right wrist in 7 cases, including 1 case of old fracture and 11 cases of fresh fractures. All fractures were closed. The mean course of disease was 9 days and 7 hours (4 hours to 60 days). According to AO/ASIF classification, there were 4 cases of C1 type, 5 cases of C2 type and 3 cases of C3 type. Preoperatively, the palmar tilt angle was —30° to 30° (— 5° on average), and the radial inclination angle was 5° to 13° (7.7° on average), and the radial shortening was 5 mm to 15 mm (9 mm on average). One case combined with dislocation of elbow joint and 2 cases combined with multi ple injuries. Results All incision healed by first intention. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 14 months to 29 months (15.6 months on average). The X-ray films showed that the union of fractures was achieved 6-8 weeks (6.6 weeks on average). No screws breakage occurred. The articular facets weresmooth in 11 of 12 patients. After operation, the palmar tilt angle was 0° to 15° (6.7° on average), and the radial inclination angle was 5° to 15° (10.2° on average), showing significant differences when compared with those before operation (P lt; 0.05). All the radial shortening was corrected. The ROM of the wrist was 55%-100% of the normal side. The grip strength was 55%-90% of the normal side. The results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 2 cases, and poor in 1 cases by X-ray film and wrist function assessment, the excellent and good rate was 91.7%. Conclusion Numelock II polyaxial system fixation is an ideal method to treat type C fractures of the distal radius. Numelock II polyaxial mechanism may provide the free adjustabil ity of screw trajectories and a higher degree of overall stabil ity compared to monoaxial locking plates.
Objective To determine the cl inical results of locking plate system in the treatment of distal radial fractures. Methods From May 2004 to November 2006, 75 patients were treated with 2.4 mm locking plate system. There were 41 males and 34 females, with a mean age of 51 years old (range, 13-82 years old). The locations were left side in 34 casesand right side in 41 cases. The cause of injury was a low energy fall in 49 cases, fall ing from height in 14 cases, traffic accident in 6 cases and sports injuries in 6 cases. All patients were diagnosed as having closed fracture. According to Müller-AO classification, there were 14 cases(18.7%) of type A, 5 cases(6.7%) of type B, and 56 cases(74.6%) of type C. The time from injury to operation was 5 hours to 27 days (mean 6 days). Results A total of 75 patients were followed up at 3 months, 71 patients at 6 months, 68 patients at 1 year and 51 patients at 2 years. Heal ing by first intention of incision was achieved in 73 cases, and infection occurred in 2 cases. Fracture reduction failed at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months in 1 case, respectively; 1 case received plaster fixation and 2 cases received re-fixation and autograft of il ium; and fracture healed in 3 cases at last follow-up. Two patients complained of skin numbness at site of superficial branch of radial nerve after 1 day, 1 patient had wound pain after operation, and 1 patient had infection of tendon at 3 days and 5 days in 1 case respectively. At last follow-up, the ranges of motion of wrist joint were (80 ± 9)° for pronation, (86 ± 7)° for supination, (57 ± 10)° for dorsal flexion, (51 ± 13)° for palmar flexion, (18 ± 7)° for radial incl ination, and (28 ± 7)° for ulnar deviation. According to modified Green scoring, the results were excellent in 66 cases, good in 6 cases and poor in 3 cases. At last follow-up, according to Knirk criterion for osteoarthritis, there were 22 cases of grade I and 5 cases of grade II, and all were classified as type C. Conclusion Internal fixation of distal radial fractures with 2.4 mm locking plate system provided a stable fixation with good cl inical outcomes.