Journal List > J Korean Soc Surg Hand > v.20(1) > 1106495

Yoon, Song, Lee, Lim, Lee, and Lee: Efficacy of External Fixation and Transfixation Pinning of Distal Radioulnar Joint in Distal Radius Fracture

Abstract

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate efficacy of percutaneous pinning of distal radioulnar joint in patient with distal radius fracture.

Methods:

Thirty-eight patients who underwent percutaneous pinning and external fixation for distal radius fracture were included in this study. Radiologic and clinical outcomes were compared between the patients who underwent percutaneous pinning on the radius only (PD group) and the patients with supplementary pinning on distal radioulnar joint (DRU group) after percutaneous pinning on the radius. External fixation was performed in all patients.

Results:

Twenty-three patients were PD group and fifteen patients were DRU group. Radial height and radial inclination was significantly higher in DRU group. There was no significant difference in ulnar variance, volar tilt and articular step off between two groups. Among the clinical outcome, there was no significant difference in range of motion between two groups but grip strength was significantly larger in DRU group.

Conclusion:

Percutaneous pinning with K-wires on distal radioulnar joint in distal radius fracture can be a useful procedure for prevention of radial shortening without loss of range of motion of the wrist.

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Fig. 1.
Radiographs of 52-year-old male patient. (A) Preoperative radiograph shows 1.72 mm radial shortening and 25° dorsal tilting. (B) Preoperative computed tomography scan shows intra-articular fracture. (C) External fixation and K-wire fixation was done. Radial shortening decreased to 1 mm and volar tilting recovered to 10.2° . (D) Twelve-week follow-up radiograph shows 3.9 mm radial shortening and 9.4° volar tilting.
jkssh-20-15f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Radiographs of 54-year-old female patient. (A) Preoperative radiograph shows 0.2 mm radial shortening and 23° dorsal tilting. (B) Preoperative computed tomography scan shows intra-articular fracture. (C) External fixation and percutaneous pinning with K-wire on distal radioulnar joint was done. Radial shortening decreased to 0 mm and volar tilting recovered to 8.4° . (D) Twelve-week follow-up radiograph shows 0.5 mm radial shortening and 7.5° volar tilting.
jkssh-20-15f2.tif
Table 1.
Radiologic outcomes of PD group and DRU group
Outcome All (n=38) Preoperative
Postoperative
p-value*
PD group DRU group PD group DRU group
Lumbar BMD (T-score) -2.93 (±0.83) - - -3.13 (±0.91) -2.62 (±0.58) 0.063
Radial height (mm) 11.18 (±2.09) 7.23 (±1.92) 07.43 (±2.03) 10.52 (±1.81) 12.20 (±2.15) 0.013
Radial inclination (°) 21.05 (±4.41) 15.42 (±3.23) 14.95 (±2.72) 19.91 (±4.98) 22.80 (±2.62) 0.026
Ulnar variance (mm) 00.00 (±1.16) 00.34 (±0.23) 00.29 (±0.12) 00.13 (±1.10) 00.20 (±1.27) 0.399
Volar tilt (°) 09.26 (±4.09) 11.23 (±4.78) 10.43 (±3.78) 09.00 (±4.52) 09.67 (±3.42) 0.629
Articular step off (mm) 00.13 (±0.34) 01.34 (±0.45) 01.41 (±0.37) 00.04 (±0.21) 00.27 (±0.46) 0.093

PD, pinning on distal radius only; DRU, supplementary pinning on distal radioulnar joint; BMD, bone mineral density.

* A p-value by t-test between postoperative radiologic outcomes of PD group and DRU group.

Table 2.
Clinical outcomes of PD group and DRU group
Outcome PD group (postoperative) DRU group (postoperative) p-value
Age (yr) 63.1 (±8.6) 64.5 (±8.7) 0.627
Flexion (°) 68.26 (±6.11) 71.60 (±6.14) 0.109
Extension (°) 53.61 (±3.87) 53.33 (±7.94) 0.902
Pronation (°) 53.87 (±5.88) 56.27 (±5.27) 0.209
Supination (°) 53.04 (±5.12) 53.80 (±7.79) 0.719
Grip streng (lb) 44.26 (±3.62) 54.20 (±5.87) 0.001

PD, pinning on distal radius only; DRU, supplementary pinning on distal radioulnar joint.

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