Functional and radiological outcome of percutaneous pinning for fractures of distal radius

Objective: To evaluate functional and radiological outcome of close reduction and percutaneous pinning and plaster for fractures of distal radius. Methodology: This was prospective study was carried out at Department of Orthopedic surgery at Mercy Teaching Hospital, Peshawar Medical College and Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan from June 2010 to April 2012. It included 50 patients of age more than 15 years with AO type A and C1 and Fernandez type I and III distal radius fracture. After close manipulation and percutaneous K wiring, plaster cast was applied for 6 weeks. Immediate postoperative and at 6th week X ray of wrist taken for measurement of radial height and volar tilt. Subjective satisfaction of every patient according to Saito chart was evaluated after 6 months. Data was analyzed with SPSS v 14. Results: Out of 50 patients, 34 (68%) were male and 16 (32%) female. Mean age was 36.46 years (range 17-60). Immediate postoperative radiographs showed that the average radial height was 10.80 mm (range=814 mm) and volar tilt was 4.50 degrees (range = ?411 degrees). At the time of removal of pin-in-plaster and percutaneous Kwires, the average radial height was 10.00 mm (range=713 mm), and the volar tilt was 4.32 degrees (range = ? 411 degrees). Subjective satisfaction was excellent in 44 (88%) cases and good and fair in 6 (12%). Conclusion: Pin and plaster is good minimal invasive technique for close reduction and its maintenance during healing process with excellent functional outcome.