The Declining Use of Wrist-Spanning External Fixators

Background: External fixation has been traditionally used to treat comminuted or open distal radius fractures that are not amenable to open reduction internal fixation. This procedure is associated with a relatively high complication rate and has been used with decreasing frequency in recent years. However, trends in external fixation utilization for the treatment of distal radius fractures have not been described. Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, patients with a distal radius fracture treated with external fixation from 2003 to 2014 were identified. The annual incidence was reported, and hospital and demographic variables associated with external fixation use were determined. Results: During the study period, 593 929 patients with a distal radius fracture were identified, of which 51 766 (8.7%) were treated with a wrist-spanning external fixator. Wrist external fixation for the treatment of distal radius fractures declined steadily from 2003 to 2014. In 2003, external fixation use was highest, accounting for 17.4% of distal radius fractures. By 2014, only 4.9% of distal radius fracture were treated with external fixation. During this period, the incidence of distal radius fractures declined by 6.9% while external fixator utilization decreased by 73.7%. Patients receiving an external fixator were more likely to be male, low-income, and treated in a rural, nonteaching, privately owned hospital. Conclusions: External fixator use for the treatment of distal radius fractures steadily declined during the study period. Males and those with lower incomes treated in rural, nonteaching, and privately owned hospitals are more likely to receive external fixation.