A Prospective Study of Unstable Comminuted Intraarticular Fracture Lower End of Radius Treated with Ligamentotaxis using Uniplanar External Fixator with Percutaneous Pinning

BACKGROUND In unstable comminuted intraarticular fracture lower end of radius it is difficult to maintain the achieved reduction until fracture union despite continued refinements of treatment methods. Clinical outcome of these type of fractures depends on method of fixation. Most of the studies recommended skeletal stabilization to maintain radial length and articular reduction to achieve good clinical outcome. We conducted a prospective clinical study using uniplanar external fixator for ligamentotaxis along with percutaneous pins for maintainence of articular reduction in the treatment of unstable intraarticular fracture lower end of radius with comminution. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective study of 40 patients of unstable comminuted intraarticular fracture lower end of radius were included in our study between january2014-january 2016. The average age of the patient was 45.5 years and all of them were between 20-70 years. All the patients were treated with uniplanar external fixator by ligamentotaxis with percutaneous pinning. Postoperative evaluation done at 3, 6, 12 weeks, 6 and 12 months and were assessed using Gartland and Werley point system. RESULTS At the end of 1 year excellent to good results were seen in 70 %, fair in 25 %, poor in 5 % cases according to the scoring system of Gartland and Werley point system CONCLUSION In our study of 40 patients with unstable comminuted intra articular fracture lower end of radius, we had excellent and good outcome of 70 % with uniplanar external fixator with percutaneous pinning and we conclude it is a good method of treatment for these type of fractures with low cost effectiveness