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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2014 Dec;15(4):265-70.
doi: 10.1007/s10195-014-0317-8. Epub 2014 Sep 6.

External fixation versus volar locking plate for displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures: a prospective randomized comparative study of the functional outcomes

Rajeev Shukla  1 , Ravi Kant Jain, Neeraj K Sharma, Ravindra Kumar
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

External fixation versus volar locking plate for displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures: a prospective randomized comparative study of the functional outcomes

Rajeev Shukla et al. J Orthop Traumatol. 2014 Dec.

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of external fixation and volar plating on the functional parameter of displaced intra-articular (Cooney's type IV) distal end radius fractures using the Green and O'Brien scoring system.

Materials and methods: This prospective randomized study comprised 68 patients treated with external fixation and 42 patients treated with volar locking plates. The patients were followed up at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. The assessment of pain, range of motion, grip strength and activity were assessed at each follow-up visit and scored according to the Green and O'Brien scoring system.

Results: At 1 year after surgery, we observed that external fixation showed significantly better results than volar locking plates using the Green and O'Brien scores for range of motion (22.0 ± 4.77 vs 19.89 ± 5.05), grip strength (19.91 ± 5.4 vs 16.89 ± 4.4) and final outcome (87.36 ± 11.62 vs 81.55 ± 11.32). No difference was found in pain and activity between these two groups of patients. Patients aged <50 years treated with external fixation showed excellent results (final score (91.57 ± 9.01) at 1 year follow-up.

Conclusion: External fixation showed superiority over volar locked plating after 1 year of surgery.

Level of evidence: IV.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Pre- and postoperative radiographic image of the wrist of a patient in external fixation (a,b). Clinical picture of a patient treated with external fixation after 1 year follow-up (c, d)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pre- and postoperative radiographic image of the hand of a patient in volar plating (a, b). Clinical picture of a patient treated with volar plating after 1 year follow-up (c, d)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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