Diagnosis and treatment of complications following trans-articular external fixation for elderly patients with distal radius fracture of type C3

Abstract

Objective To investigate the causes and treatment strategy for postoperative complications following trans-articular external fixation in the elder patients with distal radius fracture of type C3. Methods The clinical data were retrospectively studied of the 226 patients with distal radius fracture of type C3 who had been treated by trans-articular external fixation from January 2011 to December 2016 at Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital. Of them, 42 (18.6%) suffered from postoperative complications. They were 12 men and 30 women, aged from 65 to 83 years (average, 68.4 years). Results Of the 42 patients, 22 (52.4%) had loss of reduction which was improved by timely adjustment of their external fixators, 14 (33.3%) had joint stiffness which was mitigated by physical therapy, 5 (11.9%) had traumatic arthritis which was relieved after medication and physical therapy, and one (2.4%) had pin tract infection which was controlled after antibiotic treatment and regular dressing change. Conclusion Although trans-articular external fixation is an effective treatment for elder patients with distal radius fracture of type C3, it is likely to result in a major complication, loss of reduction, which should be treated timely and effectively to avoid serious consequences. Key words: Radius; Fractures; External fixator; Complications of fracture