Treatment of distal radius fractures of C3 type by T-shaped plate internal fixation combined with external fixation in aged patients

【Objective】To investigate the effect of T-shaped plate internal fixation combined with external fixation in the treatment of distal radius fractures of C3 type in aged patients. 【Methods】From April 2005 to June 2008, 10 aged patients with distal radius fractures of C3 type were treated with open reduction and T-shaped plate internal fixation combined with external fixation. The injuries involved 6 males and 4 females, the age of the patients was from 57 to 72 years(average 65 years).The preoperative ruler and inclination angle were (-40.0±51.0)°and (8.0±3.2)°, preoperative radial shortened (12.4±5.1) mm and joint surface level (4.2±2.0) mm. 【Results】All of the 10 cases were followed up for 6～20 months (7.3 months on average). All the fractures were healed, the time to healing was 7.3 weeks. As for the wrist function by Gartland-Werley score, 8 cases were excellent, 1 good, and 1 poor with the choiceness rate of 90.0%. As for radiological assessment by Sarmiento, device and palm inclination angles were (9.3±3.0)°and (18.1±8.1)°. No radial shortening was found and joint surface level were less than 1 mm. There was significant difference between pre-operation and post-operation in terms of all indicators postoperatively (P0.01). No such complications were found as infection, loosing of nails, non-union. 【Conclusions】The technique of open reduction and T-type plate and T-shaped plate internal fixation combined with external fixation is an effective method for the treatment of distal radius fractures of C3 type in aged patients.