ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of external fixation and volar locking compression plate in the treatment of distal radius fractures of type C. MethodsBetween March 2012 and March 2013, 122 patients with distal radius fractures of type C were enrolled in the prospective randomized study. Fractures were treated by external fixation in 61 patients (external fixation group) and by open reduction and internal fixation using a volar locking compression plate in 61 patients (plate group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, fracture side, weight, height, body mass index, fracture type, and interval of injury and operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). The blood loss, operation time, hospitalization days, fracture union time, wrist function, and complications were compared between 2 groups. And the quality of reduction was observed, including volar tilting angle, ulnar deviation, radial height, and articular reduction. ResultsThe blood loss, operation time, and hospitalization days in plate group were significantly higher than those in external fixation group (P<0.05). All of the patients in both groups were followed up 12-28 months. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (6.6%) of external fixation group (pin tract infection in 2 cases and radial nerve neuritis in 2 cases) and in 5 patients (8.2%) of plate group (wound infection in 1 case, carpal tunnel syndrome in 2 cases, and tendon rupture in 2 cases), showing no significant difference between 2 groups (P=0.500). The X-ray films showed fracture healing in all patients of 2 groups; the union time of plate group was significantly longer than that of external fixation group (P<0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in ulnar deviation and radial height between 2 groups (P>0.05), but the volar tilting angle of plate group was significantly larger than that of external fixation group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in wrist function and articular reduction between 2 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionFor distal radius fractures of type C, the use of external fixation or volar locking compression plate can obtain satisfactory clinical outcomes, but the external fixation has the advantages of less invasion, shorter hospitalization days, minor complications, and faster fracture union.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness on the distal radius deformity and bone defect after trauma by using Ilizarov external fixator.MethodsThe clinical data of 9 patients of post-traumatic distal radius deformity with bone defect treated by Ilizarov technique between January 2012 and December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 2 females with an average age of 25.6 years (range, 11-46 years). Of the 9 cases, 4 were radial baseball hand deformity with large bone defect, 4 were short deformity of distal radius, 1 was distal radius deformity with radial deflection and pronation deformity, all with distal dislocation of the distant radial-ulnar joint. The time from injury to operation was 6 months to 6.2 years (mean, 1.5 years). The bone defect was 1.4-6.8 cm (mean, 3.6 cm). After complete debridement, the forearm was fixed with Ilizarov external fixator. At 7 days after operation, bone transport or bone lengthening was performed at the rate of 0.8-1 mm/d, 4 times a day, the deformity was slowly corrected and the bone defect was repaired. According to the loss of palmar tilt angle and ulnar tilt angle measured before operation, the position of distal radial articular surface was gradually adjusted in the course of moving or prolonging, so as to restore palmar tilt angle and ulnar tilt angle as far as possible.ResultsAll wounds healed by first intention and no leakage or rupture occurred. All the 9 patients were followed up 15-36 months (mean, 23 months). All the radius defects healed and the distal deformity was corrected, the healing time was 92.4-138.6 days (mean, 104.7 days); the external fixation index was 32.6-51.1 days/cm (mean, 40.2 days/cm). After 2 months of external fixator removal, the wrist joint flexion was (42.6±3.1)°, the wrist dorsum extension was (48.5±4.7)°, the palm inclination angle was (11.5±1.3)°, and the ulnar deviation angle was (21.2±3.7)°; the elbow flexion was (128.2±6.4)°, the elbow extension was (3.2±2.1)°, the forearm pronation was (71.5±4.3)°, and the forearm rotation was (38.2±6.5)°; the wrist and elbow joint extension and forearm rotation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05). At last follow-up, wrist function was assessed according to Gartland-Werley standard, the results were excellent in 3 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 1 case. Four cases had pinhole infection, and were cured after anti inflammatory dressing change or replacement of needles; 3 cases did not heal at the bone junction, and were healed after bone grafting; 4 cases deviated from the radial force line, and the deformity was corrected after adjusting the needle.ConclusionIlizarov technique can correct deformity and reconstruct bone defect of the post-traumatic distal radius simultaneously, so it is a good method to treat this kind of disease.
Objective To investigate the operative indication and clinical efficacy of combination of external fixator and volar approach fixation in treatingdistal radius fracture. Methods From March 2000 to March 2005, 28 patients with distal radius fracture were treated with combination of external fixator and volar approach fixation. Dorsal external fixator was used to maintain wrist in functional position, combinated volar plate or Kirschner wire fixation after reduction was achieved. Bone graft was necessary if there were severe comminuted cortical bone or compress of cancellous bone. Of 28 patients, there were 21 males and 7 females, aging from 1854 years with a median age of 41 years. The locations were the left side in 4 cases and the right side in 24 cases. According to typing criterion for AO, 18 cases were classified as C2 and 10 cases as C3. One case wasaccompanied with dislocation of lunate bone. Results Among 28 patients, 24 were followed up for an average of 8.5 months. The anatomical relationship of their wristjoint were reestablished and retained. Overall good to excellent results were achieved in 87%, excellent in 16 cases, good in 5 cases and fair in 3 cases. Conclusion A combination of external fixator and volar approach fixation is an effective method of treating fractures of the distal radius，because distal radius fracture is unstable or difficult to close reduction. Volarfixation can avoid operative complication, and external fixator can obtain satisfactory reduction and function.
Objective To study the cl inical outcomes of Numelock II polyaxial system in treatment of type C fractures of the distal radius. Methods From March 2006 to June 2007, 12 cases of type C distal radial fractures (6 males and 6 females)were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. The mean age of the patients was 48.2 years (34-64 years)．The locations were left wrist in 5 cases and right wrist in 7 cases, including 1 case of old fracture and 11 cases of fresh fractures. All fractures were closed. The mean course of disease was 9 days and 7 hours (4 hours to 60 days). According to AO/ASIF classification, there were 4 cases of C1 type, 5 cases of C2 type and 3 cases of C3 type. Preoperatively, the palmar tilt angle was —30° to 30° (— 5° on average), and the radial inclination angle was 5° to 13° (7.7° on average), and the radial shortening was 5 mm to 15 mm (9 mm on average). One case combined with dislocation of elbow joint and 2 cases combined with multi ple injuries. Results All incision healed by first intention. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 14 months to 29 months (15.6 months on average). The X-ray films showed that the union of fractures was achieved 6-8 weeks (6.6 weeks on average). No screws breakage occurred. The articular facets weresmooth in 11 of 12 patients. After operation, the palmar tilt angle was 0° to 15° (6.7° on average), and the radial inclination angle was 5° to 15° (10.2° on average), showing significant differences when compared with those before operation (P lt; 0.05). All the radial shortening was corrected. The ROM of the wrist was 55%-100% of the normal side. The grip strength was 55%-90% of the normal side. The results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 2 cases, and poor in 1 cases by X-ray film and wrist function assessment, the excellent and good rate was 91.7%. Conclusion Numelock II polyaxial system fixation is an ideal method to treat type C fractures of the distal radius. Numelock II polyaxial mechanism may provide the free adjustabil ity of screw trajectories and a higher degree of overall stabil ity compared to monoaxial locking plates.
Objective To compare the differences between volar and dorsal plate positions in the treatment of unstable fracture of distal radius. Methods From June 2000 to December 2006, 61 cases with fracture of distal radius weretreated, 27 males and 34 females aged 22-70 years (55.5 years on average), among which 18 cases were caused by traffic accidents and 43 cases falls. All cases were fresh closed fractures. All patients had AP and lateral X-ray films of the wrist preoperatively and 30 cases experienced CT scan. According to AO, there were 25 cases for B1, 18 for B2, 7 for B3, 7 for C1, and 4 for C2. All the cases were randomized into 2 groups: the wrist palmar group (group A, n=34) and dorsal group (group B, n=27), to perform volar and dorsal plate fixation, respectively. As to the measurement of fortune for the preoperative ruler and incl ination angle, group A were (—45.0 ± 53.0)º and (8.6 ± 3.1)º, respectively, and group B were (—40.0 ± 30.0)º and (7.3 ± 5.6)º, respectively. Preoperative radial shortened (12.0 ± 5.3) mm in group A, and (10.3 ± 4.2) mm in group B. Joint surface level was (4.3 ± 2.2) mm in group A, and (4.1 ± 3.3) mm in group B. Results All of the 61 cases were followed up for 6-27 months (16 months on verage). All the fractures were healed, the time to heal ing in group A was (8.2 ± 1.6) weeks, and in group B was (8.1 ± 1.2) weeks, and the difference was not significant (P gt; 0.05). As for the wrist function by Cartland-Werley scoring at the 8th week after operation, 7 cases were excellent, 10 good, and 17 poor in group A with the choiceness rate of 50.0%, while 7 cases were excellent, 11 good and 9 poor in group B with the choiceness rate of 66.7%. There was significant difference between the two groups (P lt; 0.01). And at the 24th week after operation, 21 cases were excellent, 9 good, and 4 poor in group A with the choiceness rate of 88.2%, while 18 cases were excellent, 5 good, and 4 poor in group B with the choiceness rate of 85.2%. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). As for radiological assessment by Sarmiento, device and palm incl ination angles in group A were (9.5 ± 3.1)º and (18.0 ± 8.2)º, respectively, and in group B were (11.0 ± 4.7) º and (16.0 ± 7.6)º, respectively. No radial shortening was found either in group A or in group B, and joint surface level in both groups were less than 1 mm. There was no significant difference between group A and group B in terms of all indicators postoperatively (P gt; 0.05), but there was significant difference when compared with preoperation (P lt; 0.001). With regard to comparison of postoperative compl ications between the two groups, there was no significant difference (P gt; 0.05) in early postoperative compl ications, but there was in long-term compl ications (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion The volar and dorsal plate positions may offer effective stabil ity for unstable distal radial fracture and early functional exercise. The volar plate position may influence the pronation function of the wris joint in the short run, while the dorsal plate position may cause more compl ications in the long run.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of butterfly shaped locking compression plate for the treatment of complex distal radius fractures. MethodsBetween June 2011 and January 2013, 20 cases of complex distal radius fractures were treated with butterfly shaped locking compression plate fixation. There were 11 males and 9 females with an average age of 54 years (range, 25-75 years). Injury was caused by falling in 10 cases, by traffic accident in 7 cases, and by falling from height in 3 cases. All of fractures were closed. According to AO classification system, there were 8 cases of type C1, 8 cases of type C2, and 4 cases of type C3. Of them, 9 cases had radial styloid process fracture, 4 cases had sigmoid notch fracture, and 7 cases had both radial styloid process fracture and sigmoid notch fracture. The mean interval between injury and operation was 5.2 days (range, 3-15 days). ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention; no complications of infection and necrosis occurred. All cases were followed up 14 months on average (range, 10-22 months). All factures healed after 9.3 weeks on average (range, 6-11 weeks). No complications such as displacement of fracture, joint surface subsidence, shortening of the radius, and carpal tunnel syndrome were found during follow-up. At last follow-up, the mean palmar tilt angle was 10.2°(range, 7-15°), and the mean ulnar deviation angle was 21.8°(range, 17-24°). The mean range of motion of the wrist was 45.3°(range, 35-68°) in dorsal extension, 53.5°(range, 40-78°) in palmar flexion, 19.8°(range, 12-27°) in radial inclination, 26.6°(range, 18-31°) in ulnar inclination, 70.2°(range, 45-90°) in pronation, and 68.4°(range, 25-88°) in supination. According to the Dienst scoring system, the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 10 cases, and fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 90%. ConclusionTreatment of complex distal radius fractures with butterfly shaped locking compression plate can reconstruct normal anatomic structures, especially for radial styloid process and sigmoid notch fractures, and it can get good functional recovery of the wrist and the distal radioulnar joint.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the effects of associated ulnar styloid fracture on the prognosis of distal radius fracture. MethodsDatabases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 5 2013), CNKI, CBM and WanFang Data were searched up to May 2013 for collecting cohort studies about the effects of associated ulnar styloid fracture on the prognosis of distal radius fracture. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, related cohort studies were screened, data were extracted and cross-checked, and quality of included studies was independently evaluated by two reviewers. Meta-analysis was then conducted using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 9 studies involving 1 020 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference in GartlandWerley score between patients with ulnar styloid fracture or not. Statistical significant difference was found in DASH score between the two groups (MD=2.71, 95% CI 0.26 to 5.16, P=0.03), which indicated that patients with ulnar styloid fracture got higher score in DASH score. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that ulnar styloid fracture may affect the prognosis of patients with distal radius fracture. Due to the quality and quantity limitation of the included studies, the above conclusion needs to be further verified by more high quality studies in future.