Libin Thomas, Sudheer U
BACKGROUND The objectives of the study are- 1. to study the functional outcome of distal end of radius fractures treated with dynamic bridging external fixator and percutaneous pinning using the Gartland and Werley scoring system and 2. to correlate the functional outcome with the radiological outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS 49 patients were followed up for a period of one year. They were selected for external fixation based on radiological parameters. External fixation was applied and adjusted over a period of approximately 6 weeks after which it was removed, and the patient resumed normal activities. Patients were followed up after a year and radiological and functional outcomes were re-evaluated. RESULTS The mean age was 41.76 with 35 males and 14 females, 31 left side and 18 right side. The mean fixator time was 43.96 days. The score improved at fixator removal time from mean 12.02 to 4.82. The radiological parameters such as radial height improved from 4.08 average to 10.96 average at the end of one year. Radial inclination improved from 15.122 degrees to 23.163 degrees. But the volar tilt improved only to near neutral on average. No significant relationship was found between either radiological or functional outcome. Despite only a reasonable improvement in radiological parameters at one year of follow up, the patients had marked improvement in functional outcome at one year. CONCLUSION The external fixator system is still a viable tool in the treatment of distal end of radius fractures.
