The Treatment of the Intra-articular Fracture of Distal Radius

Park, Joo Tae; Ahn, Gil Yeong; Nam, Il Hyun; Kim, Gyun Hwan

Abstract

Althougn not as common as the intra-articular fracture of distal radius, if present considerable challanges in management. Because the intra-articular fracture is frequently accompanied by comminution and intra-articular extension of fracture, it can produce rome disability of the wrist joint. Now there are wide consensus that more aggressive surgical treatments are needed in such complex fracture to fulfill the better results. So recently, anatomical reduction, rigid internal fixation and early rehabilitation was recommended. The authors analized sixteen causes of intra-articular fracture of distal radius that were treated with open reduction and internal fixation at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Pohang St, Marys Hospital from March,1990 to December,1993. The object of this study is to evaluated the correlation between the rigid internal fixation and early rehabilitation. The average follow up period was 18.3 months(from 14 to 21 month) The result were as follows, 1. Among 1st 2 weeks after operation, long arm cast was applied. During 2nd 2 weeks, monster cast was applied. At 4 weeks, we started R.O.M.exercise and additional night splint was applied during 4 weeks. 2. The radiological union was achieved at all cases and the average time of union was 9.5 months. 3. According the Cole and Obletz criteria, excellent were 11 cases, good 3 cases, fair 2 cases. 4. We obtained satisfactory result by rigid internal fixation and early rehabilitation.