RESUMO
PURPOSE: We reviewed the functional and radiological results of unstable intraarticular fractures of the distal radius treated by percutaneous pinning with an external fixator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven cases of unstable intraarticular fractures of the distal radius were treated by percutaneous pinning and external fixation between October 1996 and September 1999, and followed up for more than 1 year. We classified them using the Frykman classification and evaluated functional and radiological results according to the subjective point system of Cole & Obletz and the objective evaluation by Scheck. RESULTS: Subjectively, we obtained the following results: excellent in 7 cases, good in 13 cases, fair in 6 cases and poor in 1 case, and objectively, 8 cases were excellent, 14 cases were good, 4 cases were fair and 1 case was poor. Radiographically, mean volar tilt, radial inclination and radial length were 9.5degrees, 22.1degrees and 10.3 mm respectively on the last follow-up. Two cases of reflex sympathetic dystrophy and one of each of skin necrosis, pin tract infection, joint stiffness and metacarpal bone fracture occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous pinning and external fixation is a useful method for reducing mal-alignment and radial length maintenance, preventing reduction loss and restoring the articular surface and function of the distal radius in cases of intraarticular comminution, open fracture with soft tissue injury and multiple injury.