Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to determine the results of closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of distal radial fractures with standard 4.0-mm cannulated screw.
Methods
We collected prospective outcomes data for 20 patients between 18 and 60 years of age (mean 39) with acute, displaced, extraarticular and unstable fractures of the distal radius treated with closed reduction, percutaneous cannulated screw fixation and early mobilization. The visits at months 2, 6 and 12 were specified as index follow-up visits and assessments of motion, grip strength and standard radiographs were performed. The Gartland Werley functional scores and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) scores were recorded.
Results
Mean values of flexion, extension, pronation and supination on the injured side were up to 70 % of those on the uninjured side at 2 months postoperatively. By 12 months, range of motion values on the injured side showed continuous and significant improvement and flexion, extension, pronation, supination and ulnar deviation reached up to 90 % of those on the uninjured side. A large and significant improvement was seen from 2 to 6 months in the QuickDASH score. A smaller improvement was seen from 6 to 12 months, which was judged not to be significant. Radiographic values were close to anatomic parameters, and the alignment was maintained at 12 months follow-up. No complications occurred.
Conclusions
Cannulated screw fixation appears to be an effective means of allowing immediate range of motion of the wrist, resulting in a rapid and comfortable functional recovery while maintaining alignment to bone healing.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fernandez DL, Wolfe SW (2005) Distal radius fractures. In: Green DP, Hotchkiss RN, Pederson WC, Scott WW (eds) Green’s operative hand surgery, 5th edn, vol 1. Churchill Livingstone, Philadelphia, p 656
Cooney WP 3rd, Linscheid RL, Dobyns JH (1979) External pin fixation for unstable Colles fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am 61:840–845
Botte MJ, Davis JLW, Rose BA, Von Schroeder HP, Gellman H, Zinberg EM (1992) Complications of smooth pin fixation of fractures and dislocations in the hand and wrist. Clin Orthop Relat Res 276:194–201
Hsu LP, Schwartz EG, Kalainov DM, Chen F, Makowiec RL (2011) Complications of K wire fixation in procedures involving the hand and wrist. J Hand Surg Am 36:610–616
Rozental TD, Blazar PE (2006) Functional outcome and complications after volar plating for dorsally displaced, unstable fractures of the distal radius. J Hand Surg Am 31:359–365
Figl M, Weninger P, Liska M, Hofbauer M, Leixnering M (2009) Volar fixed angle plate osteosynthesis of unstable distal radius fractures: 12 months results. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 129:661–669
Rozental TD, Blazar PE, Franko OI, Chacko AT, Earp BE, Day CS (2009) Functional outcomes for unstable distal radial fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation or closed reduction and percutaneous fixation. A prospective randomized trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am 91:1837–1846
Diaz-Garcia RJ, Oda T, Shauver MJ, Chung KC (2011) A systematic review of outcomes and complications of treating unstable distal radius fractures in the elderly. J Hand Surg Am 36:824–835
Arora R, Lutz M, Hennerbichler A, Krappinger D, Espen D, Gabl M (2007) Complications following internal fixation of unstable distal radius fracture with a palmar locking-plate. J Orthop Trauma 21:316–322
Shyamalan G, Theokli C, Pearse Y, Tennent D (2009) Volar locking plates versus Kirschner wires for distal radial fractures–a cost analysis study. Injury 40:1279–1281
Koval KJ, Harrast JJ, Anglen JO, Weinstein JN (2008) Fractures of the distal part of the radius. The evolution of practice over time. Where’s the evidence? J Bone Joint Surg Am 90:1855–1861
Prommersberger KJ, Pillukat T, Mühldorfer M, van Schoonhoven J (2012) Malunion of the distal radius. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. Feb 1[Epub ahead of print] doi:10.1007/s00402-012-1466-y
Engles D (2008) Use of cannulated screws in hand and wrist surgery. In: Capo JT, Tan V (eds) Atlas of minimally ınvasive hand and wrist surgery, 1st edn. Informa Healthcare, New York p 29
Konstantinidis L, Helwig P, Seifert J, Hirschmüller A, Liodakis E, Südkamp NP, Oberst M (2011) Internal fixation of dorsally comminuted fractures of the distal part of the radius: a biomechanical analysis of volar plate and intramedullary nail fracture stability. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 131:1529–1537
Yi JW, Kim RG, Choi JH, Kim JK (2012) Use of standard and anatomic-tilt lateral X-rays to determine distal radius volar angulation. J Hand Surg Am 37:736–740
Fujitani R, Omokawa S, Iida A, Santo S, Tanaka Y (2012) Reliability and clinical ımportance of teardrop angle measurement in ıntra-articular distal radius fracture. J Hand Surg Am 37:454–459
Gartland JJ, Werley CW (1951) Evaluation of healed Colles fractures. J Bone Joint Surg 33A:895–907
Petersen P, Petrick M, Connor H, Conklin D (1989) Grip strength and hand dominance: challenging the 10% rule. Am J Occup Ther 43:444–447
Öksüz Ç, Düger T. Quick DASH in Turkish. http://www.dash.iwh.on.ca/assets/images/pdfs/Quick-DASH_turkey.pdf
Chen NC, Jupiter JB (2007) Management of distal radial fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am 89:2051–2062
Swart E, Nellans K, Rosenwasser M (2012) The effects of pain, supination, and grip strength on patient-rated disability after operatively treated distal radius fractures. J Hand Surg Am. Mar 10. [Epub ahead of print] doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.01.028
Metz VM, Gilula LA (1993) Imaging techniques for distal radius fractures and related injuries. Orthop Clin North Am 24:217–228
Hanel DP, Jones MD, Trumble TE (2002) Wrist fractures. Orthop Clin North Am 33:35–57
Strohm PC, Müller CA, Boll T, Pfister U (2004) Two procedures for Kirschner wire osteosynthesis of distal radial fractures. A randomized trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am 86:2621–2628
Habernek H, Weinstabl R, Fialka C, Schmid L (1994) Unstable distal radius fractures treated by modified Kirschner wire pinning: anatomic considerations, technique, and results. J Trauma 36:83–88
Azzopardi T, Ehrendorfer S, Coulton T, Abela M (2005) Unstable extra-articular fractures of the distal radius: a prospective, randomised study of immobilisation in a cast versus supplementary percutaneous pinning. J Bone Joint Surg Br 87:837–840
Kreder HJ, Hanel DP, Agel J, McKee M, Schemitsch EH, Trumble TE, Stephen D (2005) Indirect reduction and percutaneous fixation versus open reduction and internal fixation for displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal radius: a randomised, controlled trial. J Bone Joint Surg Br 87:829–836
Cui Z, Pan J, Yu B, Zhang K, Xiong X (2011) Internal versus external fixation for unstable distal radius fractures: an up-to-date meta-analysis. Int Orthop 35:1333–1341
Egol K, Walsh M, Tejwani N, McLaurin T, Wynn C, Paksima N (2008) Bridging external fixation and supplementary Kirschner-wire fixation versus volar locked plating for unstable fractures of the distal radius. A randomised prospective trial. J Bone Joint Surg Br 90:1214–1221
Wei DH, Raizman NM, Bottino CJ, Jobin CM, Strauch RJ, Rosenwasser MP (2009) Unstable distal radial fractures treated with external fixation, a radial column plate, or a volar plate. J Bone Joint Surg Am 91:1568–1577
McFadyen I, Field J, McCann P, Ward J, Nicol S, Curwen C (2011) Should unstable extra-articular distal radial fractures be treated with fixed-angle volar-locked plates or percutaneous Kirschner wires? A prospective randomised controlled trial. Injury 42:162–166
Grewal R, MacDermid JC, King GJ, Faber KJ (2011) Open reduction internal fixation versus percutaneous pinning with external fixation of distal radius fractures: a prospective, randomized clinical trial. J Hand Surg Am 36:1899–1906
Chung KC, Watt AJ, Kotsis SV, Margaliot Z, Haase SC, Kim HM (2006) Treatment of unstable distal radial fractures with the volar locking plating system. J Bone Joint Surg Am 88:2687–2694
Conflict of interest
All named authors hereby declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nalbantoglu, U., Gereli, A., Kocaoglu, B. et al. Percutaneous cannulated screw fixation in the treatment of distal radius fractures. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 132, 1335–1341 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-012-1541-4
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-012-1541-4