Comparison of Outcomes for Unstable Distal Radius Intraarticular Fractures - T-locking Compression Plate versus External Fixator -

Chul-Hyun Cho; Su-Won Jung; Sung-Won Sohn; Chul Hyung Kang; Ki-Cheor Bae; Kyung-Jae Lee

doi:10.12671/jkfs.2008.21.1.51

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Cho, Jung, Sohn, Kang, Bae, and Lee: Comparison of Outcomes for Unstable Distal Radius Intraarticular Fractures - T-locking Compression Plate versus External Fixator -

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society 2008; 21(1): 51-56.

Published online: 31 January 2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2008.21.1.51

Comparison of Outcomes for Unstable Distal Radius Intraarticular Fractures - T-locking Compression Plate versus External Fixator -

Chul-Hyun Cho, M.D., Su-Won Jung, M.D., Sung-Won Sohn, M.D., Chul Hyung Kang, M.D., Ki-Cheor Bae, M.D., Kyung-Jae Lee, M.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Chul Hyung Kang, M.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University College of Medicine, 194, Dongsan-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-712, Korea. Tel: 82-53-250-7729, Fax: 82-53-200-7205, os@dsmc.or.kr

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the outcomes between T-locking compression plate (T-LCP) and external fixator (EF) for unstable distal radius intraarticular fractures.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analysed the results in 22 cases with T-LCP, 20 cases with EF. We evaluated the clinical results according to the Mayo Wrist Scoring System, radiographic results.

Results

The mean score was 84.6 in the T-LCP group and 80.5 in the EF group respectively. Final radiographic measurements for the T-LCP group averaged 10.5 mm radial length, 21.7° radial inclination, 9.8° volar tilt and 0.25 mm intraarticular step-off. The EF group averaged 10.1 mm radial length, 20.3° radial inclination, 6.3° volar tilt and 0.73 mm intraarticular step-off.

Conclusion

Both groups showed satisfactory final clinical outcomes. But T-LCP group allowed return to daily living, resulting in early postsurgical wrist motion. By the anatomical reduction, final volar tilt, intraarticular step-off were statistically better in the T-LCP group.

Keywords: Distal radius, Unstable intraarticular fracture, T-locking compression plate, External fixator

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

71-year-old woman with unstable distal radius intraarticular fracture was treated by open reduction and internal fixation with T-LCP.

(A) Preoperative radiographs show AO classification C1 fracture.

(B) Immediate postoperative radiographs show successful reduction and fixation.

(C) Radiographs at 26 months postoperatively show no significant loss of reduction.

Fig. 2

70-year-old women with unstable distal radius intraarticular fracture was treated by closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation with external fixator.

(A) Preoperative radiographs show AO classification C2 fracture.

(B) Immediate postoperative radiographs show satisfactory reduction and fixation.

(C) Radiographs at 16 months postoperatively show no significant loss of reduction.

Table 1

Clinical details of 42 patients with unstable distal radius intra-articular fracture

Table 2

Results according to Mayo wrist score system

Table 3

Results according to the radiographic evaluation

^*S.D.: Standard deviation.

Table 4

Arthritic grading system of Knirk and Jupiter and results of this study

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