The Treatment of Comminuted Fractures of the Distal Extremity of the Radius by External Fixator: About 12 Cases

Abstract

Comminuted fractures of the distal radius are common. A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology of Ibn Sina Hospital in Rabat on a period of two years between February 2021 and January 2023 involving 12 cases of comminuted fractures of the distal radius treated with external fixator distraction. The average age of our patients, all males, was 37 years old. The right side was affected in 66 % of cases. X-rays have objectified an articular fractures and/or comminuted without opening the skin. We adopted the Castaing classification to characterize fractures of the distal radius. The treatment consisted on an external fixation. Ablation of osteosynthesis material was done after 45 days, then reeducation was started. After a window of 13 months, our results were very satisfactory with good recovery of mobility of wrist and practice of normal activities.