J Korean Soc Surg Hand.  2015 Mar;20(1):15-22. 10.12790/jkssh.2015.20.1.15.

Efficacy of External Fixation and Transfixation Pinning of Distal Radioulnar Joint in Distal Radius Fracture

• Yoon SP
• Song KS
• Lee SK
• Lim SY
• Lee YT
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2194121
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12790/jkssh.2015.20.1.15

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate efficacy of percutaneous pinning of distal radioulnar joint in patient with distal radius fracture.
METHODS
Thirty-eight patients who underwent percutaneous pinning and external fixation for distal radius fracture were included in this study. Radiologic and clinical outcomes were compared between the patients who underwent percutaneous pinning on the radius only (PD group) and the patients with supplementary pinning on distal radioulnar joint (DRU group) after percutaneous pinning on the radius. External fixation was performed in all patients.
RESULTS
Twenty-three patients were PD group and fifteen patients were DRU group. Radial height and radial inclination was significantly higher in DRU group. There was no significant difference in ulnar variance, volar tilt and articular step off between two groups. Among the clinical outcome, there was no significant difference in range of motion between two groups but grip strength was significantly larger in DRU group.
CONCLUSION
Percutaneous pinning with K-wires on distal radioulnar joint in distal radius fracture can be a useful procedure for prevention of radial shortening without loss of range of motion of the wrist.

Keyword

Distal radius frature; Percutaneous pinning; Distal radioulnar joint

MeSH Terms

Hand Strength
Humans
Joints*
Radius
Radius Fractures*
Range of Motion, Articular
Wrist

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Radiographs of 52-year-old male patient. (A) Preoperative radiograph shows 1.72 mm radial shortening and 25° dorsal tilting. (B) Preoperative computed tomography scan shows intra-articular fracture. (C) External fixation and K-wire fixation was done. Radial shortening decreased to 1 mm and volar tilting recovered to 10.2° . (D) Twelve-week follow-up radiograph shows 3.9 mm radial shortening and 9.4° volar tilting.

• 

  Fig. 2. Radiographs of 54-year-old female patient. (A) Preoperative radiograph shows 0.2 mm radial shortening and 23° dorsal tilting. (B) Preoperative computed tomography scan shows intra-articular fracture. (C) External fixation and percutaneous pinning with K-wire on distal radioulnar joint was done. Radial shortening decreased to 0 mm and volar tilting recovered to 8.4° . (D) Twelve-week follow-up radiograph shows 0.5 mm radial shortening and 7.5° volar tilting.

Reference

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