A Comparative Prospective Study Between Ligamentotaxis Versus Volar Plating in Displaced Intra-articular Fractures of Distal End Radius in Adults

Objectives: The objectives of the study are to compare the efficacy of external fixator/ligamentotaxis and volar plating in the treatment of displaced intra-articular distal end radius fracture by comparing the functional outcome using the Green and O’Brien score and to assess the radiological outcome of displaced intra-articular distal end radius fracture treated with external fixator/ligamentotaxis and volar plate.Methods: This randomized study was done on ۷۰ patients from August ۲۰۲۲ to May ۲۰۲۴ at GIMSR Medical College and Hospital. We enrolled ۳۵ patients in the volar plating and ۳۵ patients in the external fixation groups. Functional outcomes were assessed at ۳ and ۶ months using Cooney modification of Green and O’Brien scores, and radiological outcomes were evaluated using Sarmiento radiological score.Results: By ۶ months, both groups had comparable functional outcomes. The volar plating group achieved excellent results in ۷۱.۴% of cases, compared to ۴۸.۵% in the external fixation group. Radiological parameters like palmar tilt, radial shortening, and deviation showed no significant differences. Complications were similar between groups. Superficial pin tract infections were found to be common in the external fixation group and surgical site infections in the volar plating group.Conclusion: Volar plating provided superior early functional outcomes, particularly in grip strength; however, both methods show comparable long-term results. Treatment choice should consider patient-specific factors, including bone quality and the need for early mobilization. Level of evidence: I

کلیدواژه ها:

distal radius fractures ، ligamentotaxis ، volar plating