Radiological assessment of collapse of distal end radius fracture followed by close reduction and cross k wire fixation

Abstract

Background: Distal end radius fractures are the commonest occurring fractures occurring in upper extremity. They represent one-sixth of all fractures treated in emergency department. The present study was conducted to assess collapse in distal end radius fracture following close reduction and cross K wire fixation using standard AP and lateral radiological parameters of reduction.Materials & Methods: A sample of 40 patients who underwent K wire fixation for unstable fractures of distal radius over a period of 18 months reporting serially to the orthopaedics OPD a single tertiary hospital were included.Results: The mean immediate postoperative volar tilt was 10.08°, while at 6 weeks postoperative, it was found to be 8.91° respectively. The mean immediate postoperative radial inclination was 24.02°, while at 6 weeks postoperative, it was found to be 22.67° respectively. The mean immediate postoperative Ulnar variance was 0.38 mm while at 6 weeks postoperative, it was found to be – 0.008 mm respectively. Significant results were obtained while comparing the Ulnar variance at different postoperative time intervals. Collapse in volar tilt after K wire removal was seen in 71.11 percent of the patients. Among these, 1°, 2° and 3° collapse of volar tilt was seen in 31.11 percent, 33.33 percent and 6.67 percent of the patients respectively.Conclusion: The closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation is a least invasive, safer, and effective method to maintain the reduction, prevent significant collapse during healing, and maintain the stability of the distal radio-ulnar joint even when the fracture is grossly comminuted, intra-articular, or unstable.