A SHORT TERM FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME STUDY COMPARING CLOSED REDUCTION PERCUTANEOUS WIRE FIXATION WITH OPEN REDUCTION INTERNAL FIXATION FOR FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL RADIUS

Abstract

Background: The best treatment for displaced distal radius fracture is still debated. The aim of our study is to use the PRWE and Euroqol questionnaires to look at patients function at a minimum of 1 year following distal radius fracture.

Method: 32 consecutive patients with a Colles-type fracture were treated surgically. 16 were treated with K wires and 16 underwent an open reduction and internal fixation. At a minimum of one year the PRWE and Euroqol questionnaires were filled in.

Results: Intra articular and extra articular fractures were equally distributed between the 2 groups. The Euroqol the EQVAS and PRWE scores showed no statistical difference between the 2 groups (respectively p=0.7 CI 95% -0.23 to 0.17; p=0.05 CI -30 to 0.6 and p=0.5 CI 95% -18 to 9.4).

Conclusion: Using PRWE and Euroqol, there is no short term functional difference between patients treated with closed reduction and percutaneous wire fixation or open reduction and internal fixation following a distal radius fracture.