The Effect of a PEEK Material-Based External Fixator in the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures with Non-Transarticular External Fixation

Objective To explore the effect of a PEEK material-based external fixator in the treatment of distal radius fractures with non-transarticular external fixation. Methods There were 48 patients in this prospective comparative study. They were divided into two groups according to the materials used: the PEEK group and the titanium group. Wrist dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, pronation, supination, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, grip strength of the palm on the affected side, kneading force, Visual Analogue Scale/Score (VAS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, operation time, frequency of fluoroscopy procedures, and X-ray results were compared between the two groups. Functional recovery was evaluated at the last follow-up according to the wrist joint evaluation criteria. Results The baseline data were comparable between the two groups, and no significant differences were found in age, sex, fracture types (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the results of DASH, grip strength, and recovery of pinch force and wrist function (dorsiflexion, clavicle, ulnar deviation, deviation, pronation, and supination) (P > 0.05). Normal limb function was achieved in the two groups of patients at an average of 6 weeks after surgery, and there was no significant difference in X-ray examination radial height (10.60 +/- 1.59 vs 11.00 +/- 1.53, P = 0.687), radial inclination (1.11 +/- 0.24 vs 1.12 +/- 0.24, P = 0.798), volar tilt (10.33 +/- 2.13 vs 10.00 +/- 2.08, P = 0.660), ulnar variance (20.87 +/- 3.00 vs 20.38 +/- 3.04, P = 0.748), and step-off persistence (1.73 +/- 0.69 vs 1.68 +/- 0.72, P = 0.425) between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, the operation time (54.80 +/- 12.20 vs 85.23 +/- 15.14, P = 0.033) and number of fluoroscopy procedures (36.93 +/- 6.89 vs 64.77 +/- 9.74, P = 0.000) in the PEEK group were significantly reduced compared with those in the titanium group. Conclusion Compared with the traditional titanium external fixator, the PEEK composite external fixator has advantages, such as a shorter operation time and fewer fluoroscopy procedures when used to treat different types of distal radius fracture.