External fixation of intra-articular fracture of the distal radius in young and old adults

Forty patients (18-89 years old, mean 58 years) with comminuted intra-articular fractures of the distal radial end (AO-type C 2 or C 3) treated with external fixation could be followed for an average of 2.3 years. After 3 weeks, the distraction was released, and after another 3 weeks, the device was removed. Complications seen were one malunion, one radial shaft fracture caused by excentric drilling of a Schanz screw, one Sudeck atrophy, and one subcutaneous pin-track infection, Radial and ulnar deviations were reduced to 52% and 71% of the untreated wrist, whereas the range of motion in the other planes reached about 80% or more of the healthy side. In all, 82.5% of the patients showed good or excellent radiological and functional results. This study demonstrates that external fixation of distal radial C 2 and 3 fractures for 6 weeks results in good recovery for young patients and elderly patients with osteoporosis.