Clinical analysis of modified plaster external fixation in the treatment of the senile comminuted fractures of distal radius in elderly patients

Abstract

Objective To explore the feasibility and clinical value of the modified plaster external fixation in the treatment of the senile comminuted fractures of distal radius. Methods The 547 patients with the senile comminuted fractures of distal radius were reviewed to clinically evaluate the modified plaster external fixation.The clinical value of 12-lead electrocardiogram after successful reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction was evaluated.All patients were divided into operation group, traditional plaster external fixation group and modified plaster external fixation group.The mean follow up time was 50 weeks.The comfort degree of patients during therapy was appraised by the score of wrist pain, the time of swelling disappearance, complications rates of palmaris pressure sores and acute carpal tunnel syndrome, and the average treatment costs.The efficacy and radiographic changes were assessed by PRWE score and Sanniento score modified by Stewart. Results The grade of wrist pain, the time of swelling disappearance, complication rates and the average treatment cost were less in the modified plaster external fixation group than in traditional plaster external fixation group(t=13.834、12.709、29.443、12.900, P 0.05). Based on radiologic evaluations, the improved Sarmiento score after 10 weeks of treatment was(2.62±2.83)in modified plaster external fixation group, (2.92±2.95)in traditional plaster external fixation group(t=0.544, P>0.05, between the two groups), and(1.29±2.13)in operation group(vs.two plaster external fixation group, t=5.518, P 0.05). Conclusions Modified plaster external fixation for the treatment of the senile comminuted fracture of distal radius has more advantages as compared with traditional plaster external fixation in raising comfort during the treatment and rapid recovery of wrist function.And it can reduce the complications and the economic burden of patients.It is worth popularizing to treat the elderly patients with the senile comminuted fractures of distal radius in primary care settings. Key words: plaster; surgery; radius fracture; comminuted fractures