Logo of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (Br)
Quick search:        
          Advanced Search
Guest Access | Sign In
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 90-B, Issue 9, 1214-1221.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.90B9.20521  
Copyright © 2008 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Further opinion
Right arrow Further opinion
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow My Folders
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Egol, K.
Right arrow Articles by Paksima, N.
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Egol, K.
Right arrow Articles by Paksima, N.

Bridging external fixation and supplementary Kirschner-wire fixation versus volar locked plating for unstable fractures of the distal radius

A RANDOMISED, PROSPECTIVE TRIAL

K. Egol, MD, Associate Professor1; M. Walsh, PhD, Assistant Professor1; N. Tejwani, MD, Associate Professor1; T. McLaurin, MD, Assistant Professor1; C. Wynn, BA, Researcher1; and N. Paksima, DO, Assistant Professor1

1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery The New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, 301 East 17th Street, New York, New York 10003, USA.

Correspondence should be sent to Professor K. Egol; e-mail: egolk01{at}nyumc.org

We performed a prospective, randomised trial to evaluate the outcome after surgery of displaced, unstable fractures of the distal radius. A total of 280 consecutive patients were enrolled in a prospective database and 88 identified who met the inclusion criteria for surgery. They were randomised to receive either bridging external fixation with supplementary Kirschner-wire fixation or volar-locked plating with screws. Both groups were similar in terms of age, gender, hand dominance, fracture pattern, socio-economic status and medical co-morbidities.

Although the patients treated by volar plating had a statistically significant early improvement in the range of movement of the wrist, this advantage diminished with time and in absolute terms the difference in range of movement was clinically unimportant. Radiologically, there were no clinically significant differences in the reductions, although more patients with AO/OTA (Orthopaedic Trauma Association) type C fractures were allocated to the external fixation group. The function at one year was similar in the two groups.

No clear advantage could be demonstrated with either treatment but fewer re-operations were required in the external fixation group.






(c) British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery All Rights Reserved
Registered charity no: 209299     Print ISSN: 0301-620X
Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General