Comminuted Intraarticular Distal Radius Fractures: Functional Outcome and Short-term Follow-up after Surgical Treatment with Spanning External Fixation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65693/j21umas.2025.v4i1.212Keywords:
Distal Radius Fracture, External Fixation, Radiological Parameters, Anatomical Parameters, Surgical Treatment.Abstract
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Background: Treating a severely comminuted distal radius intraarticular fracture is challenging as it can lead to disability, unless the alignment of the fractured bones is restored as accurately as possible and maintained in an anatomical position.
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Objective: This study aims to assess the efficacy of utilizing an AO spanning external fixator in the treatment of comminuted distal radius intraarticular fracture.
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Methods: Between January 2020 and September 2022, 38 individuals with isolated closed comminuted intraarticular distal radius fractures (DRFs) were enrolled in this research. The patients underwent clinical and radiological evaluations using the AO classification system in the emergency department. The patients were taken to the operating theatre, where closed reduction techniques and a stable mini-AO spanning external fixator were employed to restore the radiological parameters of the distal radius. The functional status of the patients was assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months using the modified Green and O'Brien scale. The collected data were then analyzed to evaluate treatment outcomes.
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Results: 32 (84%) patients were males with an average age of 32. Among the cases, 45% of the patients had AO-23C3 fractures, while 55% had AO-23C2 fractures. The procedure duration ranged from 15 to 25 minutes. The external fixator was removed after a median period of seven weeks. Additional percutaneous K-wires were used in 6 patients for enhanced stability. Three patients experienced pin tract infections during treatment. Radiographic measures of the distal radius showed normal values. Functional outcomes were favorable; with 55% of patients had excellent results, 29% experienced good outcomes, and 11% and 5% presented fair and bad outcomes respectively.
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Conclusion: Severely comminuted DRFs can be effectively treated with minimally invasive spanning external fixation, restoring anatomical and radiological parameters and achieving favorable functional outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammed AlSaifi، Khaled Swailem، Randa AlSalahi، Anwer Mahyoub، Mohammed Zaid (المؤلف)
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