Wrist function recovers more rapidly after volar locked plating than after external fixation but the outcomes are similar after 1 year.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Promising results have been reported after volar locked plating of unstable dorsally displaced distal radius fractures. We investigated whether volar locked plating results in better patient-perceived, objective functional and radiographic outcomes compared to the less invasive external fixation.

Patients and methods

63 patients under 70 years of age, with an unstable extra-articular or non-comminuted intra-articular dorsally displaced distal radius fracture, were randomized to volar locked plating (n = 33) or bridging external fixation. Patient-perceived outcome was assessed with the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaire.

Results

At 3 and 6 months, the volar pl

SUBMITTER: Wilcke MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3230001 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature