External fixation for intraarticular fractures of the distal radius.

Abstract

We treated 35 cases of intraarticular fractures of the distal radius during recent 3.5 years, and could follow 24 cases. We classified the fracture according to Melone: 4 cases were Type 1, and 20 cases were Type 2. We treated 4 cases with cast for Type 1; 13 cases with Ace Colles Frame, 4 cases with K-wire, 2 cases with T-plate and 1 case with pin and plaster for Type 2. We evaluated them according to “Shibata's Point System”. All cases except for 1 case treated with 1 K-wire were excellent or good. We compared cast group in Type 1 with Ace Colles Frame group in Type 2 about radial shortening, radial tilt loss, dorsal tilt loss and clinical status. In this study, unstable fractures treated with Ace Colles Frame showed same results compared with stable fractures treated with cast.