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. 2022 Nov;17(6):1170-1176.
doi: 10.1177/1558944720975135. Epub 2020 Dec 20.

Percutaneous Threaded Pin Fixation of Distal Radius Fracture in the Athlete

Patrick M Luchini  1 , Julie E Glener  1 , Justin Vaida  1 , Lucy A McCabe  2 , Andrea B Lese  1 , John S Taras  1
Affiliations

Percutaneous Threaded Pin Fixation of Distal Radius Fracture in the Athlete

Patrick M Luchini et al. Hand (N Y). 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes and return to play with early rehabilitation in athletes who sustained unstable extra-articular distal radius fractures treated with a purpose-designed threaded pin technique.

Methods: This prospective study examined athletes with displaced and unstable distal radius fractures treated surgically with purpose-designed threaded pins. Patients were enrolled in an early rehabilitation protocol, with formal therapy initiated on postoperative days 1 to 3. Range of motion and strength measurements were documented throughout the postoperative period, noting the time until return to athletic competition. These results were compared with historical values using other forms of fixation.

Results: Nineteen athletes, average age of 35 years, were treated with threaded pin technique with early rehabilitation; all had complete healing and maintained alignment based on radiographic evaluation. The average time span between surgery and release to competition was 8 weeks, with all but 1 patient returning to sport within 12 weeks of injury. Average postoperative flexion measured 58°, extension was 57°, pronation was 81°, and supination was 74°. JAMAR grip strength in position 3 measured 25.22 kg, which equated to 73% of the uninjured side's grip strength at the time of release to play.

Conclusions: Surgical fixation using a purpose-designed threaded pin is a useful alternative to volar plating for isolated radial styloid and extra-articular distal radius fractures in athletes. The purpose-designed threaded pin may afford athletes rapid recovery during the early postoperative period, preserving strength and dexterity and minimizing time lost before return to play.

Keywords: athlete; distal radius fracture; early mobilization; fixation; return to competition; threaded pin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: J.S.T. is the owner of Union Surgical, LLC, and a patent for the threaded pin device has been issued. He has no other disclosures. L.A.M. reports personal fees and other from Union Surgical, LLC. All other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Preoperative radiographs of a typical extra-articular distal radius fracture amenable to fixation with purpose-designed threaded pins: (a) posteroanterior view and (b) lateral view.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Postoperative radiographs of the fracture shown in Figures 1a and 1b: (a) posteroanterior view and (b) lateral view.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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