A retrospective analysis comparing functional and radiological outcomes after treatment of unstable distal radius fractures using volar locked plate versus percutaneous fixation

Background: Distal radius fractures are one of the most routinely encountered injuries in an orthopaedic setting. Despite the wide variety of treatment options available there is still debate about the optimal way to treat these fractures. The aim was to evaluate and compare functional and radiological outcomes of unstable distal radius fractures treated by either by using volar locking compression plating (VLP) or by using percutaneous fixation augmented by Kirschner (K) wires (EF).Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out on all cases of acute unstable unilateral fracture distal radius who were admitted between January 2015 and December 2017 and were treated either by VLP or EF. QuickDASH score and PRWE were documented at every follow up in OPD at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year post-op along with serial X-rays at immediate post-op and 01 year which were then compared.Results: A total of 122 cases of fracture distal radius were selected for study which fulfilled the inclusion criteria out of which 49 were treated by VLP and 73 by EF. There was no statistical difference in QuickDASH, PRWE scores or wrist ROM between two groups at1 year follow up. However VLP group was better in maintaining palmar tilt, radial length and inclination at the end of 1 year.Conclusions: Both VLP and EF show comparable and predictable good outcomes in treating unstable distal radius fractures when measured in terms of ROM and clinically validated patient outcome scores at 01 year follow up with similar rate of complications.