Comparison of 2-year clinical and radiological outcomes between volar plating and external fixation with additional K-wires for AO Type C distal radius fractures

Abstract

Background/aim: Surgical treatment of distal intraarticular radius fractures remains controversial. Our aim was to compare the clinicaland radiological outcomes between volar plating (VP) and external fixation (EF) for distal intraarticular radius fractures two yearspostoperatively.Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 59 patients with 62 intraarticular AO Type C distal radius fractures. Wedistinguished two groups: patients treated with internal fixation (volar locking plate, VP group: 41 fractures), and patients treated withan external fixator and K-wires (EF group: 21 fractures). The clinical assessment included range of motion, grip strength, disability of thearm, shoulder, and hand (DASH), and visual analog scale scores. Radiological measurements comprised flexion and extension, radialvolar tilt, inclination, height, shortening, and ulnar variance.Results: Postoperative grip strength and flexion angles were better after VP (P = 0.004, P = 0.009), but there was no difference in DASHscores (P = 0.341). Radial inclination was significantly different compared to that of the uninjured hand after VP (P = 0.0183), but notEF (P = 0.11).Conclusion: VP and EF result in similar clinical and radiological outcomes after 2 years. Function is not restored to the functionalityof the contralateral and noninjured hand.