Comparison of efficacies of two fixation methods in treatment of complex intra-articular fracture of the distal radius / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the efficacies and indications of locking compression plate (LCP) and external fixator plus Kirschner wires in treatment of complex intra-articular fracture of the dis-tal radius. Methods Ninety-eight patients with complex intra-articular fractures of the distal radius were treated with volar LCP or external fixator plus Kirschner wires, the efficacies of which were evaluated by comparing the grasping force and wrist function of the patients. Results All the patients were fol-lowed up for an average of 12.4 months, which showed fracture healing in all the patients. According to the wrist function assessment system of New York Orthopedic Hospital (1990), there was no statistical difference in the efficacy of LCP and external f'lxator plus Kirschner wires in treatment of types C1 or C2 fractures (P > 0.05), while the efficacy of external fixator plus Kirschner wires was significantly superior to that of LCP in treating type C3 fracture (P < 0.05). Conclusions For types C1 or C2 intra-articu-lar fractures of the distal radius, the efficacies of LCP and external fixator plus Kirschner wires are simi-lar, while the efficacy of external fixator plus Kirschner wires is superior to that of LCP in treating type C3 intra-articular fracture of the distal radius.