Comparison of the Clinical and Radiological Results of Volar Locking Plate and External Fixation Treatment of Intra-Articular Fractures of the Distal Radius.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the mid-term results of patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation with closed reduction and external fixation in the surgical treatment of distal radius intra-articular fractures. Methods: The data were retrospectively analyzed of 95 patients who underwent internal fixation with volar plate after open reduction or application of external fixator after closed reduction due to distal radius intra-articular fracture between April 2019 and October 2022 in our clinic. All patients who agreed to participate in the study were clinically evaluated using the MAYO wrist score at the final follow-up examination. Palmar angulation loss, radial length loss, and radial tilt loss were investigated by comparing the radiographs taken at the final follow-up visit with the healthy side. Results: Evaluation was made of a total of 47 patients, as group 1 comprising 24 patients applied with volar plate and group 2 comprising 23 patients applied with external fixator. A statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in terms of operation time (P = .002), duration of follow-up (P = .031), wrist extension range of motion (P = .001), and volar angulation (P = .010). Conclusion: Some clinical and radiological differences were detected between volar plate fixation and external fixator fixation in the surgical treatment of intra-articular radius distal fractures. However, the MAYO wrist score showed no significant difference between the groups. It is most important that the patient returns to normal life as soon as possible and is able to maintain that. Therefore, these methods can be used interchangeably when necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]