English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Fractures of the distal radius are common among elderly patients. These injuries result from low energy force. Depending on the functional demand and the nature of the fracture, these fractures may be treated with some form of surgical stabilization. The recovery period of this fracture can be substantial, and the type of treatment for activities of daily living can be significant. The purpose of this study was to assess the functional outcome of extra-articular distal radius fractures treated with casing alone or pinning with casing. METHODS A comparative randomized study comprised of 30 patients with extra-articular distal radius fractures. 15 patients from each group were followed at six weeks and 12 weeks respectively, and the functional outcome was assessed at the end of 3 months after the initiation of treatment. RESULTS Patients who were treated by percutaneous pinning have no better functional outcome than those treated with casing alone, but the complication rate is higher in the casing group than those in the pinning group (P-value: 0.010). The radiological and functional outcome has no statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS Both the methods, i.e., casing alone and percutaneous pinning with the casing, have a similar functional outcome, but pinning is superior to casing since there were fewer complications in the pinning group. KEY WORDS Extra-Articular Distal Radius Fractures, Pinning, Casing