INTRA-ARTICULAR DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURES

FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF PERCUTANEOUS KIRSCHNER WIRE FIXATION AND SHORT ARM CAST IN PATIENTS OF 20-70 YEARS

Abstract

Objectives: To determine functional outcome of percutaneous Kirschner wire
fixation and short arm cast in intra-articular distal radius fractures in patients of 20-70 years.
Study Design: Descriptive case series. Setting: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Dow
University of Health Sciences / Civil Hospital Karachi. Period: 1st April, 2013 to 30th September,
2013. Methods: A total of 62 patients with closed type III distal fractures according to Frykman
classification were included in this study. Patient lying in supine position and after general
anesthesia, closed reduction was done with the forearm in prone position, aiming to restore
normal anatomical position. Two Kirschner wires were inserted from radial styloid process in
parallel and oblique fashion to the medial cortex of the radius and one transversely from lateral
to medial for intra-articular fragments. Final functional outcome was assessed after 12 weeks of
surgery and recorded on pre-designed Proforma. Results: Acceptable functional outcome of
percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation and short arm cast in intra-articular distal radius fractures
was observed in 80.65% (50/62) cases. Conclusions: It is concluded that functional outcome
of percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation and short arm cast procedure is satisfactory in intraarticular
distal radius fractures and it appears to be an easy, technically less demanding and
effective method for stabilization, so this procedure can be applied for patients with these
fractures.