Objective To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopy-assisted combined fixation of Kirschner wire and external fixator for treating extreme distal radial fractures. Methods Between January 2014 and May 2016, 21 patients who suffered from extreme distal radial fractures were treated by arthroscopy-assisted combined fixation of Kirschner wire and external fixator. There were 14 males and 7 females with an age of 32-57 years (mean, 42.3 years). The causes of injury included falling in 13 cases and traffic accident in 8 cases. The fracture type included 8 cases of type 23C1, 9 cases of type 23C2, and 4 cases of type 23C3 according to AO/OTA classification. The time from injury to operation was 3-7 days (mean, 4.4 days). The Mayo score and disability of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score were used to assess the pain and function of the wrist joint. Results There was no needle red swelling, tendon irritation, or orther early complications. All the patients were followed up 10-35 months (mean, 18.3 months). The fracture healing time was 9-13 weeks (mean, 10.6 weeks). At last follow-up, the Mayo score was 87-94 (mean, 90.9); and 17 cases were excellent and 4 were good. The DASH score was 7-13 (mean, 10.6). Conclusion Arthroscopy-assisted combined fixation of Kirschner wire and external fixator for treating extreme distal radial fractures has the advantages of firm fixation, early functional exercise, less postoperative complications, and good functional recovery of wrist joint.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of volar oblique T-type locking plate and raft screws reduction and fixation in the treatment of extreme distal radius fractures.MethodsBetween July 2014 and July 2018, 15 patients with extreme distal radius fractures were treated with volar oblique T-type locking plate and raft screws reduction and fixation. There were 6 males and 9 females, aged from 30 to 66 years with an average age of 56.6 years. The cause of injury was falling from height in 2 cases and falling in 13 cases. All of them were fresh closed injuries. The fractures were rated as type 23C1 in 8 cases and as type 23C2 in 7 cases according to AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification. There were 7 cases of ulnar styloid process fracture and 2 cases of distal radioulnar joint instability. The time from injury to operation was 6 to 9 days with an average of 7.3 days. The fracture healing and the radial height, palm inclination, and ulnar deviation were observed by X-ray reexamination. Cooney score was used to evaluate the effectiveness.ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-24 months, with an average of 14.6 months. X-ray films showed that all fractures healed, and the healing time ranged from 5 to 10 months, with an average of 8.2 months. No internal fixation failure or secondary fracture displacement occurred. At last follow-up, the radial height, palm inclination, and ulnar deviation recovered well, and the differences between pre- and post-operation were significant (P<0.05). The pain, function, activity, and grip strength scores and the total score of Cooney score were significantly higher than those before operation (P<0.05). There were 11 cases of excellent, 3 cases of good, and 1 case of good, with an excellent and good rate of 93%.ConclusionFor extreme distal radius fractures, the volar oblique T-type locking plate and raft screws reduction and fixation can restore the radialheight, palm inclination, and ulnar deviation, fix firmly, and recover the wrist joint function exercise early, and obtain satisfactory effectiveness.