Objective To investigate the surgical technique and preliminary effectiveness of closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) using antegrade elastic intramedullary nailing (ESIN) via a novel approach through the proximal radius for treating distal radius metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction (DRMDJ) fractures in children. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 34 children with DRMDJ fractures who met the selection criteria and were treated between January 2020 and June 2023. There were 21 boys and 13 girls, aged 6-14 years (mean, 8.2 years). Injury causes included falls in 11 cases and sports-related trauma in 23 cases. Twenty-six cases were associated with ipsilateral distal ulnar fractures. All patients had failed initial closed reduction in the outpatient clinic. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 15 days (mean, 4 days). All patients underwent CRIF using antegrade ESIN inserted via a novel approach at the proximal one-third of the radius. The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded. Fracture reduction was assessed immediately after operation on anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films for residual translation and angulation. Wrist function was evaluated using the modified Mayo wrist score. ResultsSurgery was successfully completed in all 34 children. CRIF with ESIN failed in 2 cases with associated ipsilateral distal ulnar fractures, requiring conversion to open reduction of the ulna. Operation time ranged from 15 to 56 minutes (mean, 21 minutes). Intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency ranged from 5 to 21 times (mean, 7 times). Immediate postoperative X-ray films showed residual translation of 0-15% on anteroposterior view and 0-10% on lateral view, and residual angulation of 0°-5° on both anteroposterior and lateral views. All children were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 12 months). There was no complication such as neurovascular injury, incision infection, or limitation of forearm rotation. Follow-up X-ray films showed no fracture displacement, implant loosening, delayed union, or nonunion. Fracture healing time ranged from 4 to 8 weeks (mean, 6 weeks). Implants were removed at 4-6 months postoperatively (mean, 5 months). At last follow-up, all fractures had achieved anatomic or near-anatomic healing. The modified Mayo wrist score ranged from 80 to 100 (mean, 94), with 27 excellent and 7 good results, yielding an excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion CRIF using antegrade ESIN via a novel approach through proximal radius is a safe and effective treatment for pediatric DRMDJ fractures, associated with few postoperative complications and excellent restoration of wrist function.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of external fixation and volar locking compression plate in the treatment of distal radius fractures of type C. MethodsBetween March 2012 and March 2013, 122 patients with distal radius fractures of type C were enrolled in the prospective randomized study. Fractures were treated by external fixation in 61 patients (external fixation group) and by open reduction and internal fixation using a volar locking compression plate in 61 patients (plate group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, fracture side, weight, height, body mass index, fracture type, and interval of injury and operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). The blood loss, operation time, hospitalization days, fracture union time, wrist function, and complications were compared between 2 groups. And the quality of reduction was observed, including volar tilting angle, ulnar deviation, radial height, and articular reduction. ResultsThe blood loss, operation time, and hospitalization days in plate group were significantly higher than those in external fixation group (P<0.05). All of the patients in both groups were followed up 12-28 months. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (6.6%) of external fixation group (pin tract infection in 2 cases and radial nerve neuritis in 2 cases) and in 5 patients (8.2%) of plate group (wound infection in 1 case, carpal tunnel syndrome in 2 cases, and tendon rupture in 2 cases), showing no significant difference between 2 groups (P=0.500). The X-ray films showed fracture healing in all patients of 2 groups; the union time of plate group was significantly longer than that of external fixation group (P<0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in ulnar deviation and radial height between 2 groups (P>0.05), but the volar tilting angle of plate group was significantly larger than that of external fixation group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in wrist function and articular reduction between 2 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionFor distal radius fractures of type C, the use of external fixation or volar locking compression plate can obtain satisfactory clinical outcomes, but the external fixation has the advantages of less invasion, shorter hospitalization days, minor complications, and faster fracture union.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of external fixation (EF) and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for unstable distal radius fractures in adults. Methods We searched MEDLINE (1966 to September 2008), Cochrane Central register of controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2008), EMbase (1974 to September 2008), CBM, CNKI, and collected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of EF and ORIF for unstable distal radius fractures in adults. The quality of the included studies was critically assessed and data analyses were performed with the Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 5.0 software. Results Seven RCTs involving 634 patients were included, of which 269 were in EF group, and 293 were in ORIF group. Only 1 study had relative high quality, all the others had some limitation in randomization, blinding, and allocation concealment. The results of meta-analyses showed that, 1) about the effectiveness: according to the Gartland and Werley grade standard, the ORIF group was better than the EF group with statistic difference (RR=1.50, 95%CI 1.11 to 2.03, P=0.008); because of the original studies did not offer the detailed data including pad strength, grip strength, flexion-extension, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation, we only processed a descriptive analysis; and 2) about complications: the infection rate of the pin track was higher in the EF group than that in the ORIF group with statistic difference (RR=0.24, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.76, P=0.02); but there were no differences between the two groups in reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) (RR=0.88, 95%CI 0.30 to 2.56, P=0.82), extensor tendon rupture (RR=3.93, 95%CI 0.45 to 34.62, P=0.22), and compartment syndrome (RR=3.13, 95%CI 0.51 to 19.09, P=0.22). Conclusions Compared with EF, ORIF is much better based on Gartland and Werley grade standard, and causes much less infection. Because of the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more proofs are required from more RCTs with large sample.
Objective To discuss the relationship between recovery of anatomical integrity and functional outcome in elderly patients with distal radius fractures by comparing the effects of open reduction and closed reduction. Methods The cl inical data were retrospectively analyzed from 78 elderly patients with distal radius fractures treating with nonoperation andoperation from February 2005 to March 2009. Thirty-seven patients underwent closed reduction and spl intlet fixation or cast appl ication (non-operation group), and forty-one patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation (operation group). In non-operation group, there were 15 males and 22 females with an average age of 73 years (60-83 years). According to the AO classification system for fracture, there were 8 cases of type A2, 7 cases of type A3, 7 cases of type B1, 4 cases of type B2, 2 cases of type B3, 4 cases of type C1, 2 cases of type C2, and 3 cases of type C3. The time from injury to admission was between 30 minutes and 3 days with a mean time of 1 day. In operation group, there were 18 males and 23 females with an average age of 71 years (62-80 years). According to the AO classification system for fracture, there were 5 cases of type A2, 7 cases of type A3, 7 cases of type B1, 6 cases of type B2, 3 cases of type B3, 4 cases of type C1, 5 cases of type C2, and 4 cases of type C3. The time from injury to admission was between 30 minutes and 7 days with a mean time of 1 day. There were no significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in sex, age, disease course and fracture classification between two groups. Results All incisions obtained heal ing by first intention after operation in operation group. All patients were followed up for 9-36 months (20 months on average). Fracture heal ing was achieved within 8 to 15 weeks, with an average of 11 weeks. There were no significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in fracture heal ing time between non-operation group [(10.8 ± 2.0) weeks] and operation group [(11.7 ± 2.5) weeks]. At last follow-up, thepalmar tilt angle was (5.6 ± 2.0)° and (8.6 ± 3.0)°, the radial incl ination angle was (19.1 ± 4.9)° and (21.8 ± 2.0)°, and the radial length was (8.3 ± 1.3) mm and (10.4 ± 1.4) mm in non-operation group and operation group, respectively; showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05) between two groups. According to the Gartland-Werley score, the results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 21 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 2 cases in non-operation group, the excellent and good rate was 81.1%; in operation group, the results were excellent in 13 cases, good in 25 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case, the excellent and good rate was 92.7%, showing no significant difference (P gt; 0.05) between two groups. There were no significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in flexion and extension activity of wrist, radioulnar partial activity, pronation-supination activity, grip and pinch strength between two groups. Conclusion Open reduction and closed reduction can achieve satisfactory functional outcomes, but closed reduction was inferior to open reduction in anatomic reduction for treating distal radius fractures in elderly patients.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the effects of associated ulnar styloid fracture on the prognosis of distal radius fracture. MethodsDatabases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 5 2013), CNKI, CBM and WanFang Data were searched up to May 2013 for collecting cohort studies about the effects of associated ulnar styloid fracture on the prognosis of distal radius fracture. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, related cohort studies were screened, data were extracted and cross-checked, and quality of included studies was independently evaluated by two reviewers. Meta-analysis was then conducted using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 9 studies involving 1 020 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference in GartlandWerley score between patients with ulnar styloid fracture or not. Statistical significant difference was found in DASH score between the two groups (MD=2.71, 95% CI 0.26 to 5.16, P=0.03), which indicated that patients with ulnar styloid fracture got higher score in DASH score. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that ulnar styloid fracture may affect the prognosis of patients with distal radius fracture. Due to the quality and quantity limitation of the included studies, the above conclusion needs to be further verified by more high quality studies in future.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of wrist arthroscopy assisted treatment of distal radius fractures.MethodsTo summarize and describe the anatomical characteristics and fracture classification of the distal radius, indications and contraindications of wrist arthroscopy-assisted treatment, surgical methods, and associated soft tissue injuries, and summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the operation through a large number of literature at home and abroad on the treatment of distal radius fractures assisted by wrist arthroscopy.ResultsWrist arthroscopy as a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of distal radius fractures, compared with traditional surgery, can accurately observe intra-articular damage and perform operations under the microscope to avoid secondary damage to blood vessels, nerve, and tendon, etc., and can achieve one-stage repair and reconstruction by repairing the ligament, trigonal fibrocartilage complex, and carpal dislocation. It has the advantages of less trauma, fast postoperative recovery, extensive indications, fewer complications, and satisfactory effectiveness.ConclusionWrist arthroscopy has advantages that traditional X-ray film, CT, MRI, and arthrography examinations do not have. Moreover, wrist arthroscopy has achieved satisfactory effectiveness in the adjuvant treatment of intra-articular distal radius fractures.