English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Distal radius fractures with intra-articular extension are complex injuries which have been treated by various methods. The study was to evaluate the outcome of operative management of distal radius fractures with intraarticular extension with the published literature. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim is to study the outcome in 50 cases of intraarticular fractures of lower end of radius in adults treated with different modalities such as Kirschner wire and casting, external fixation and open reduction and internal fixation with plate osteosynthesis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at New Civil Hospital, Surat between August 2010 and August 2012 with intraarticular fractures of lower end of the radius treated at the Department of Orthopaedics, New Civil hospital, Surat were included in the study with the Ethical committee approval. They were evaluated to assess their clinical and functional results using Demerit point system of Gartland and Werley and compared with the available literature. The results were analysed using different parameters; male vs. female, age distribution, mode of trauma, functional outcomes and complications etc. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results obtained were 10% excellent, 56% good, 28%, fair and 6% poor result. The average age was 38.46 years with the fracture being more common in the 3rdto 5th decades with male to female ratio of 4.5:1. More number of patients had fracture of left radius. 54 % sustained fracture due to road traffic accident. 68% of the patients had Frykmann type VII and type VIII fractures. 12% patients had open injuries. K wire fixation was done in 17 patients, external fixation was done in 9 patients and plate osteosynthesis was done in 24 patients. 6 patients had cosmetic deformity. 11 patients had complications. One patient had deep infection. Though described in literature fortunately none of the patients had median nerve complication or reflex sympathetic dystrophy in present series.