ABSTRACT
Objective:To compare the clinical effects of external-internal four paper splints fixation at a fixed point with the routine paper splint fixation in the treatment of the unstable distal radius fracture.Methods:A total of 66 patients with type C1 or C2 distal radial fractures, from November 2016 to May 2019, were analyzed retrospectively. According to different external fixation methods, patients were divided into 2 groups with 33 patients in each group. Modified group treated with external-internal four paper splint fixation at a fixed point and normal group treated with routine paper splint fixation. The 4th and 6th weeks after the operation, the reduction of the distal radius fracture was evaluated based on anteroposterior and lateral wrist radiographs. After 3 months follow-up, the radial height, radial inclination and palm dip angle were measured and the healing time were recorded. The Gartland-Werley functional scale was used to evaluate the wrist function from four aspects of residual malformation, subjective evaluation, objective evaluation and complications, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy.Results:After 3 months follow-up, all patients got clinical healing. The loss of palm dip angle [(2.9 ± 2.4)° vs. (4.6 ± 3.2)°, t=-2.524], radial inclination [(3.4 ± 2.2)° vs. (5.0 ± 3.0)°, t=-2.506] and radial height [(2.4 ± 1.9) mm vs. (3.6 ± 2.1) mm, t=-2.302] in modified group were significantly less than those in normal group ( P<0.05). There was a lower Gartland-Werley score in modified group compared with normal group [(1.52 ± 2.75) vs. (5.76 ± 8.68); t=-2.677, P<0.05]. The excellent and good rate was 97.0% (32/33) in the modified group and 78.8% (26/33) in the nomal group. There was significant difference between two groups ( Z=-2.315, P=0.021). Conclusions:The external-internal four paper splint fixation at a fixed point can control the redisplacement of unstable distal radius fractures effectively, and maintain the reduction. The effect of modified paper splint fixation at a fixed point is better than routine paper splint fixation.