fractures of the distal radius AN ARTHROSCOPICALLY-ASSISTED APPROACH

We treated 31 intra-articular fractures of thedistal radius by arthroscopically-assisted reduction and percutaneous fixation with Kirschner (K-) wires. Tears of the triangular fibrocartilage (58%), scapholunate (85%) and lunotriquetral (61%) instability and osteochondral lesions (19%) were also treated. A total of 26 patients was independently reviewed at an average of 19 months. The mean pain score was 1.3/10, the range of movement 79 % and the grip strength 90 % of the contralateral wrist. Using the New York Orthopaedic Hospital score, 88 % were graded excellent to good. On follow-up radiographs, 65 % had no step and 31 % had a step of ≤1 mm. Pain was significantly related to the size of the step. There was a significant difference in the incidence of persistent scapholunate diastasis and the Leibovic and Geissler grade (p < 0.01): I (0%), II (0%), III (42%) and IV (100%). We recommend anatomical reduction and acceptance of a step of <1 mm since the size of the step is related to the incidence of pain