Treatment of reducible unstable fractures of the distal extremity of the radius: external fixation versus percutaneous pinning

Completed

Conditions: Colles' fracture
Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning
Fracture of forearm

Registration Number: ISRCTN04892785

Lead Sponsor: Federal University of Sao Paulo (Brazil)

Brief Summary: Not available

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Completed

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 100

Inclusion Criteria

The patients were adults aged over 40 years (either sex) who presented with acute fractures with displacement up to 10 days old without previous treatment. The fractures were categorised using the Cooney classification 10 as unstable and reducible: type IIb and type IVb. Fractures were considered unstable if they presented three or more of the following factors at the initial radiographic examination:
1. Shortening of the radius by more than 5 mm
2. Dorsal angulation greater than 20 degrees
3. Joint incongruence
4. Fracture associated with the styloid process of the ulna
5. Dorsal comminution of the metaphysis
6. Aged greater than 60 years

Exclusion Criteria

1. Fractures with volar angulation (Smith fracture)
2. Joint margin fractures (Barton fracture)
3. Open or bilateral fractures
4. Fractures that could not be reduced
5. Patients with previous histories of degenerative disease, wrist joint trauma, or traumatic injuries associated with the fracture that would make it impossible to apply the proposed surgical methods or evaluate the results
6. Patients who refused to sign the free and informed consent statement

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Measured at 6 months and 2 years:<br>1. Disability Arm Shoulder and Hand questionare (DASH)<br>2. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Measured at 6 months and 2 years:<br>1. Radiographic outcomes: radiographs in posteroanterior and lateral views were used for evaluation, and the following parameters were measured: volar inclination angle, radial inclination angle, presence of a stepped joint and consolidation.<br>2. Objective functional assessment: range of motion and grip<br>3. Complications and failures<br><br>Functional and radiographic evaluations, pain measurements using the VAS, and applications of the DASH questionnaire were performed by professional orthopedists and physiotherapists who were not directly associated with the study