[Distal radius fracture; fixation using Kirschner wire or only a cast? A retrospective comparative study]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Traumatology
• Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

• Distal radius fractures are common injuries affecting wrist function.
• Treatment options include conservative management (plaster immobilization) and surgical fixation.
• Optimal treatment strategies, especially for intraarticular fractures, require further comparative analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the functional outcomes of conservative versus percutaneous K-wire fixation for distal radius fractures.
• To evaluate the efficacy of operative treatment, specifically K-wire fixation, in improving patient recovery.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 56 patients with distal radius fractures was studied.
• Patients were treated either conservatively (plaster alone) or with percutaneous K-wire fixation.
• Groups were matched for fracture type, age (±5 years), and sex.
• Functional outcomes were assessed using the modified Gartland/Werley scoring system.

Main Results:

• Operative treatment with percutaneous K-wire fixation demonstrated superior functional end results compared to conservative treatment.
• This improvement was particularly noted in patients with intraarticular distal radius fractures.
• The median follow-up period was 54 months, providing long-term outcome data.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous K-wire fixation is an effective treatment for distal radius fractures, yielding better functional outcomes than conservative methods.
• Surgical intervention is especially beneficial for intraarticular fracture patterns.
• These findings support the consideration of K-wire fixation for optimizing recovery in distal radius fracture patients.