Treating Unstable Distal Radius Fractures With a Nonspanning External Fixation Device: Comparison With Volar Locking...

We conducted a study to compare functional and radiographic outcomes of unstable comminuted intra-articular distal radius fractures (DRFs) treated with a nonspanning external fixation device and outcomes achieved with volar locking plates in a historical control group. Clinical and radiographic data from 25 patients with these fractures, treated with the external fixation device, were compared with outcomes data from historical control matched patients with fracture patterns treated with volar locking plates. There was no statistically significant difference in the measured outcomes for wrist flexion and extension, radial deviation, pronation and supination, volar tilt, radial height, radial inclination, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores between the 2 groups. The external fixator group had significantly more postoperative ulnar deviation than the historical control group. Complications included pin-tract infection and fracture in 1 patient who fell 2 weeks after fixator removal. Nonspanning external fixation is an alternative treatment option for unstable comminuted DRFs. It is minimally invasive and has functional and radiographic results similar to those achieved with volar locking plates in matched patients in historical control studies.