Distal Radius Fracture Fixation With the Specialized Threaded Pin Device

This study investigated the outcomes of extra-articular distal radius fractures and simple intra-articular radial styloid fractures stabilized with a novel threaded cannulated device. This was a retrospective study of 24 distal radius fractures treated with the T-Pin device (Union Surgical LLC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), with a minimum of 1 year of postoperative follow-up. Outcome data included wrist range of motion, grip strength, and pinch strength. Radiographs were analyzed to determine volar tilt and radial height. At final follow-up, patients completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. At an average of 2 years after surgery (range, 1-4 years), flexion was 89%, extension was 96%, supination was 99%, and pronation was 100% of contralateral wrist motion. Grip strength was 93% (range, 40%-137%) and lateral pinch strength was 99% (range, 48%-130%) of the contralateral upper extremity. The average final DASH score was 4.4 (range, 0-35). One patient lost 6 mm of radial height from the initial postoperative radiograph to the final follow-up radiograph. One patient elected to have the quiescent threaded pins removed, and 1 patient had tenderness with wrist range of motion that resolved after pin removal. After hardware removal, neither patient had further symptoms. No postoperative soft tissue complications occurred, and this was an expected benefit of the minimally invasive approach and intramedullary placement of the device. The stability of fixation allows patients to begin active range of motion early in the postoperative course. The threaded pin offers reliable fracture fixation for the treatment of extra-articular and simple articular distal radius fractures.