[The treatment of unstable fractures of the distal radius using a bridging external fixator. Results from a long-term evaluation].

Introduction: The aim of our study was to evaluate external fixation in the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures in a long-term follow-up.

Methods: Within 8 years 174 patients with severely displaced distal radius fractures were included in a prospective study and treated with an external wrist fixator (Orthofix Srl, Italy). A total of 148 patients were reviewed with an average follow-up time of 28 months.

Results: Using the functional outcome score according to Gartland and Werley, we obtained 29.3 % excellent, 42.5 % good, 10.3 % fair and 2.9 % poor results; 14.9 % of the patients were not available for follow-up. Additional procedures were carried out in 54.1 % to obtain dorsal stabilization. The list of complications included two major pin-tract infections requiring surgical intervention, one pin cut out of the second metacarpal bone, one fixator dislocation, and one patient had algodystrophy. The length of the radius and joint congruity did not significantly from the situation when the fixator has been removed at the end of the treatment.

Conclusion: The results show the importance of anatomical reduction, and especially restoration of radial length, in order to obtain good functional outcome.