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. 2012 Dec;4(2):50-4.
doi: 10.1007/s12593-012-0072-0. Epub 2012 Jun 16.

Comparison between external fixators and fixed-angle volar-locking plates in the treatment of distal radius fractures

Alberto Agustín Jorge-Mora  1 , David Cecilia-López, Victor Rodríguez-Vega, Laura Suárez-Arias, Eva Andrés-Esteban, Miguel Ángel Porras-Moreno, Carlos Resines-Erasun
Affiliations

Comparison between external fixators and fixed-angle volar-locking plates in the treatment of distal radius fractures

Alberto Agustín Jorge-Mora et al. J Hand Microsurg. 2012 Dec.

Abstract

Distal radius fractures are a common disorder in industrialized nations associated with osteoporosis, with a reported incidence of two fractures per thousand patients per year. We performed a retrospective study comparing two sets of 40 patients, with fracture of the distal radius treated with Penning external fixator, compared to 40 patients treated with fixed-angle volar-locking plate (Plate Depuy ® DVR), with the objective of finding differences between both treatment methods in anatomical values, functional outcomes and complication rates. All fractures were classified according to the AO classification. Postero-anterior and lateral radiographs of the wrist were taken after fracture, after surgery and at 6 months after surgery. We also assessed functional outcome. Minimum follow up was of 10 months. We compared complications between both groups. In the group of patients treated with fixed-angle volar-locked plate, radiological results are found to be closer to the anatomical references. Final outcomes revealed similar functional scores between both groups. The complications rate was statistically higher in the group of patients who underwent external fixation. In the fixed-angle volar-locked plate group, most of complications were related to patient discomfort due to the volar-locking plate.

Keywords: Complications; External-fixator; Fracture; Plate; Radius.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Lindström functional scale in both groups. This figure displays functional outcome
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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