Surgical Treatment of Unstable Distal Radius Fractures

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of the open reduction with plate fixation and external fixators for unstable distal radius fractures.Methods:The clinical data of 120 patients with unstable distal radius fractures treated from June of 2005 to December of 2008 were analyzed retrospectively.Volar plate with volar approach was performed in 105 cases.Volar plate with palm dorsal approach was performed in 5 cases.External Fixation was performed in 10 cases.Results: All patients were followed up with the average 14 months(range 6 to 42 months).Postoperative outcomes were evaluated by Dienst criteria.In all the 120 cases,excellent result was in 80 cases,good in 25 cases,fair in 10 cases.The excellent and good rate was 87.5%.Conclusions: The unstable distal radius fractures should be actively treated by surgery and based on the type of fracture in patients to choose a different surgical approach and fixation methods.The bone defect should be actively grafted to promote bone healing.