Comparison of volar plate with K-wire fixation of distal radius fractures: A prospective study

Abstract

Introduction: The optimal management of distal radius fractures remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the functional outcomes of patients who underwent k-wire fixation or volar plating for fractures of the distal radius. Methods: This prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care private hospital. We recruited sixty patients of fracture distal end radius treated with either volar plate or K-wires fixation between July 2014 to June 2015 and followed for minimum six months.Results: The study consists of sixty patients of fracture distal end radius divided into two groups. Thirty patients (Group A) treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning and other 30 patients (Group B) with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with buttress plating. In our study 26 patients (86.6%) in Group A and 27 patients (90%) in Group B had excellent or good score according to the Gartland and Werly score with Sarmiento et al modification criteria. Conclusions: No method of fixation, external or internal, can be said superior to the other. The results of open reduction and internal fixation with volar plating can be better than K- wire fixation in initial months, but in the long run, both the methods can have excellent score, provided the fixation is good and properly indicated.