Acomparison of percutaneous and pin-and-plaster techniques in distal radius fracture

Background: Distal Radial fracture is one of the most common fractures of the skeletal system. Although it has been believed to be a simple fracture with excellent outcomes, practical operations’results have always been undesirable and even poor. The goal of this study was to compare two methods of treatment “pin and plaster and precautious pin fixation in patients with unstable extra-articular distal radial fracture. Methods: This clinical-trial study was done in Emdadi Kamyab Hospital of Mashad University in the year 2006. 78 Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group (38 patients) was treated using pin and plaster and the second group (40 patients) were treated with percutaneous pin fixation.History, physical examination and pre- and postoperative x-rays were taken from all patients. The mean follow-up time was 12 weeks. Data were collected by questionnaires and were analyzed by descriptive statistics and SPSS software and T-test. Results: The mean age of the patients in both groups were approximately 53- years-old. There was no significant statistical differences according to sex between two groups. In pin-and -plaster group radial shortening was 2.9 mm, mean dorsal angulation was 22.18 degree, but in percutaneous pin (PCP) group the results were 4.05 mm, 23.43 degree respectively. Conclusion: Range of motion of the wrist and elbow, rotation of the Forearm, reduction of the fracture all yielded better results in the PCP group.