External fixation or a cast for Colles' fracture.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Traumatology
• Radiology

Background:

• Distal radius fractures are common injuries.
• Treatment options include external fixation and cast immobilization.
• Long-term outcomes require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare functional and radiographic outcomes of external fixation versus cast immobilization for displaced distal radius fractures.
• To evaluate the incidence of arthrosis and complications between the two treatment groups.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study comparing 40 patients treated with external fixation and 91 patients treated with cast immobilization.
• Evaluation of wrist function and radiographic position at 2.5 years post-treatment.
• Assessment of complication rates, including sensory disturbances and arthrosis.

Main Results:

• External fixation resulted in better wrist function and less residual displacement compared to cast immobilization.
• No significant difference in the frequency of arthrosis between the groups.
• Higher complication rates were observed with external fixation, particularly sensory disturbances in the thumb.

Conclusions:

• External fixation offers functional advantages for distal radius fractures but is associated with increased complications.
• Modified surgical techniques for external fixation may mitigate complications like thumb sensory disturbances.
• Both methods showed similar rates of post-traumatic arthrosis.