Background: Unstable and comminuted distal radial fractures require surgical treatment by percutaneous insertion of Kirschner wires, open reduction, and fixation with a non-locking or locking plate or with an external device. Choosing a surgical method that produces "better" outcomes may help select the most efficient treatment method.
Material and methods: The study group included 100 patients after surgical treatment by closed reduction and simple fixation with Kirschner wires and by open reduction and LCP locking plate fixation. Radiographic assessment was based on images obtained before the surgery, immediately after fracture reduction, and at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after the procedure.
Results: A comparison of the volar tilt angle in patients after fixation with Kirschner wires and LCP plates did not show any statistically significant differences before the surgery or at 6 weeks. A difference in the outcomes was found at 6 and 12 months and it turned out to be highly statistically significant. A comparison of the inclination angle and radial height in patients after Kirschner wire and LCP plate fixation showed statistically significant differences at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. A comparison of the radiographic outcomes using the Sarmiento classification in patients after Kirschner wire and LCP plate fixation revealed statistically significant differences at all follow-up time points.
Conclusions: 1. The radiographic parameters were superior in patients treated by open reduction and LCP plate fixation. 2. The difference was seen with regard to all the parameters studied.
Keywords: Kirschner wires; LCP locking plate; radial bone; surgical treatment.