Treatment of comminuted distal radius fractures using spanning external fixator

Abstract

Background: Distal radius fractures are common orthopedic injuries with a bimodal age distribution, affecting young patients following high-energy trauma and elderly patients with osteoporotic bone following low-energy falls.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to understand the advantages and disadvantages of spanning external fixation technique for treatment of comminuted distal radius fractures.
Patients and methods: This Prospective Cohort study was conducted in Orthopedic Surgery Department, Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt on twenty-four patients with comminuted distal radius fractures treated by spanning External Fixator, during the period from January 2021 to December 2021.
Result: All patients achieved the full union; only 2 patients had delayed union beyond the 3 months. According to MMWS, 50% of patients had excellent outcome, 29.2% had good, while fair and poor outcome occurred in 12.5% & 8.3% respectively. Regarding the Complications, ten patients developed complications, most of them were minor complications, while 2 patients developed Delayed union and one patient had DRUJ instability.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that spanning external fixation is a good option for treatment of intra-articular DRF. The good outcomes achieved in this study suggest that use of the Spanning external fixators could be an alternative treatment method for intra articular distal radius fractures, as it is easier, need less operation time, decrease amount of blood loss and decrease risk of infection in comparison with spanning bridging plate or locked distal radius plates. All DRFs achieved good results; Functional outcomes were promising, including wide wrist ROM and no mal or non-union occurred.