Volar Locking Plate versus External Fixation for Displaced Intra-Articular Distal Radius Fractures: A Prospective Randomized Comparative Study of the Radiological Parameters and Functional Outcomes

Background: The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of external fixation and volar plating on the Radiological (Radial length, Radial inclination and volar tilt) and functional parameter (QUICK DASH score) of completely articular (AO 23 C1, 23 C2, 23 C3) distal end radius fractures. Materials and methods: This prospective randomized study comprised 27 patients treated with external fixation and 33 patients treated with volar locking plates. The patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 6 months after surgery. At the time of follow up the radiological parameters and Q-DASH scores were assessed. Results: At 6 months after surgery, we observed volar locking plate patients showed better results than external fixator patients with respect to both radiological parameters and functional status. Both volar tilt (External fixation, 11.37 ? 1.47; Volar plate, 12.12 ? 1.34) and radial inclination (External fixation, 22.26 ? 1.63; Volar plate, 23.27 ? 0.72) showed statistically significant difference in-betweenboth the groups. Although radial length was not statistically significant. Again QUICK Dash score (External fixation, 9.71 ? 3.55; volar plating, 6.80 ? 0.46) also showed statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Volar locking plate is superior in comparison to external fixation in cases of completely intra articular distal radius fractures.