Abstract
In a comparative, experimental examination of 60 human cadaver radii, the stability of various, widely used internal fixation procedures of a distal radius fracture loco typico using a dorsal wedge was determined. The use of 2.5-mm Kirschner wires (K-wires) delivered a 10% greater stability than 1.8-mm K-wires. The 2.7-mm polylactide rods achieved a slightly greater stability than 1.8mm K-wires under accurate pinning conditions. Polylactide rods (35 mm length, 2 mm diameter) and polyglycolide rods (60 mm length, 2 mm diameter) proved to be 20% less solid than 1.8-mm K-wires and almost 45% less than plate fixation. The short polylactide pins, however, did not have enough hold in the proximal cortical bone. The 2.7-mm polylactide rods (60 mm length) complied with the stability prerequisites necessary for comparable substitution for K-wires in distal radius fractures.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bbstman O, Hirvensalo E, Partio E, Törmälä P, Rokkanen P (1992) Absorbable polyglycolide rods and screws in the fixation of malleolar fractures. Clinical experience with 600 patients. Unfallchirurg 5:109–112
Casteleyn PP, Handelberg F, Haentjens P (1992) Biodegradable rods versus Kirschner wire fixation of wrist fractures. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 74:858–861
Claes L, Rehm K, Hutmacher D (1992) The development of a new degradable pin for the refixation of bony fragments. Congress report of Fourth World Biomaterial Congress, Berlin, p 205
Helling HJ, Rehm KE, Claes L, Hutmacher D (1992) Experimental use of new biodegradable poly L/DL lactide pins with X-ray opaque head markers for osteosynthesis. Congress report of Fourth World Biomaterial Congress, Berlin, p 264
Hoffmann R, Krettek C, Haas N, Tscherne H (1989) The distal radius fracture: operative stabilization with biodegradable fracture pins (Biofix): biomechanical testing and preliminary, clinical experience. Unfallchirurg 92:430–434
Hoffmann R, Krettek C, Hetkämper A, Haas N, Tscherne H (1992) Stabilization of distal radius fractures with biodegradable rods. A 2-year follow-up. Unfallchirurg 95:99–105
Kwasny O, Hertz H, Schabus R (1990) Percutaneous K-wire fixation for the treatment of instable distal radius fracture. Aktuel Traumatol 20:97–101
Letsch R, Schmit-Neuerburg KP, Schax M (1987) Operation method of distal radius fracture. Aktuel Traumatol 17:113–119
Majola A, Vainionpdd S, Vihtonen K, Vasenius J, Törmälä P, Rokkanen P (1992) Intramedullary fixation of cortical bone osteotomies with self-reinforced polylactic rods in rabbits. Int Orthop 16:101–108
Mockenhaupt J (1990) Distal radius — the thickness of its cortical bone. Unfallchirurg 16:163–165
Müller ME, Allgöwer M, Schneider R, Willenegger H (1992) Manual of osteosynthesis. AO-technique. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Pfeiffer KM (1983) Fracture of distal forearm. In: Nigst H, Buck-Gramcko D, Millesi H (eds) Hand surgery, Vol II, K. 26. Thieme, Stuttgart
Rehm KE, Helling HJ, Claes L, Hutmacher D (1992) Osteosynthesis with biodegradable poly-L/DL-lactide pins with X-ray opaque head markers. Congress report of Fourth World Biomaterial Congress, Berlin, p 246
Stürmer KM, Letsch R, Koeser K, Schmit-Neuerburg KP (1990) Treatment of distal radius fracture. Operative technique: Kirschner-wire osteosynthesis. Langenbecks Arch Chir [Suppl II]
Tscherne H, Jähne J (1990) State of the art of therapy for fracture of distal radius. Unfallchirurg 93:157–164
Wagner HE, Jakob RP (1985) External fixator in the operative treatment of distal radius fracture. Unfallchirurg 88:473
Willenegger H, Guggenbül A (1959) Operative treatment of some cases of distal radius fracture. Helv Chir Acta 26:81
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rader, C.P., Räuber, C., Rehm, K.E. et al. Internal fixation of the distal radius. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 114, 340–343 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00448958
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00448958