Complications of Treating Distal Radius Fractures with External Fixation: a Community Experience

Overview

Journal Iowa Orthop J

Specialty Orthopedics

Date 2004 Aug 7

PMID 15296207

Citations 16

Authors

John T Anderson

George L Lucas

Bruce R Buhr

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the immediate postoperative complications associated with treating distal radius fractures with external fixation.

Design: A retrospective chart review of data obtained from 24 consecutive patients who were treated with small AO external fixators in 1997.

Setting: Two community medical centers.

Intervention: Preoperative and postoperative radiograph measurements were taken of radial inclination, radial tilt, and radial length, and fractures were classified according to the AO system. Patient charts were reviewed to document demographics, type of fixator used, open or percutaneous technique for pin placement, use of augmentation, additional operations, and complications.

Main Outcome Measurements: Complications associated with treating distal radius fractures with one type of external fixator.

Results: Sixteen of the 24 patients had complications: 5 with neuropathies of the median or superficial radial nerve, 9 with pin track infections, 2 with pin loosening, one with a nonunion, 2 with malunion, and 4 patients each with radial shortening, loss of radial tilt, collapse of ulnar border or volar intercalated segment instability (VISI) of the lunate and rotatory subluxation of the scaphoid.

Conclusions: Postoperative complications following distal radius fractures treated with external fixation are common. Their effect, however, on long term functional results and patient satisfaction is negligible, with the exception of those patients with complications intrinsic to the fracture itself, i.e., nonunion, malunion or carpal malalignment.

Citing Articles

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes Following Volar-Locked Plating Versus Dorsal Bridge Plating for Distal Radius Factures.

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Bridge Plate Distraction for Complex Distal Radius Fractures: A Cohort Study and Systematic Review of the Literature.

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Radiographic Outcomes for Comminuted, Intra-articular Distal Radius Fractures Treated with Primary Distraction Bridge Plate Fixation.

Rambau G, Sgromolo N, Rhee P Indian J Orthop. 2023; 57(4):543-551.

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Dorsal bridging plates for the treatment of high and low energy distal radius fractures.

Roberts T, Kocialcowski C, Cowey A J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2022; 35:102048.

PMID: 36340961 PMC: 9634010. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcot.2022.102048.

Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures with Bridging External Fixator with Optional Percutaneous K-Wires: What Are the Right Indications for Patient Age, Gender, Dominant Limb and Injury Pattern?.

Biz C, Cerchiaro M, Belluzzi E, Bortolato E, Rossin A, Berizzi A J Pers Med. 2022; 12(9).

PMID: 36143316 PMC: 9503670. DOI: 10.3390/jpm12091532.

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