Primary prophylactic bone grafting for distal end radius fracture, Is it justified?

Abstract

Background: Our objective was to evaluate role of primary percutaneous bone grafting for extra articular fracture distal end radius and its usefulness in preventing secondary complications – collapse and stiffness. Methods: 60 patients of extra articular fracture distal end radius were divided into two arms. All patients were treated with closed reduction and fixation in form of k-wires or external fixator or combination of both. Odd numbered patients (Group A) were treated with primary percutaneous bone grafting and even numbered patients (Group B) were treated with fixation without bone grafting. Patients were followed up to 1 year after fracture union with radiological and clinical evaluation based on modified Mayo wrist score. Results: Irrespective of other factors, Radiological union was found to be faster by 12 days avg. in patients treated with primary percutaneous bone grafting. Modified Mayo wrist score also improved in patients treated with primary percutaneous bone grafting. Conclusion: Though long term, multi centric, larger pool of patients based study is required to justify the use of primary percutaneous bone grafting in case of distal end radius extra articular fractures, in selected group of patients, it definitely helped to prevent secondary complications and improve functional outcome.