EXPERIENCE WITH INTERNAL-FIXATION OF FRACTURES OF THE HEAD OF THE RADIUS

The advantages of internal fixation of fractures, with the possibility of immediate resumption of the function of the fractured bone, are in contrast to the well-known complications described in the literature. These complications and our own unsatisfactory results after surgical treatment of fractures of the head of the radius induced us to carry out a randomized prospective study of primary functional treatment of such fractures without external or internal stabilization. From December 1991 through December 1992, a total of 70 patients were treated according to a strict treatment protocol at the Graz Hospital for Accident Surgery, and CT was used for observation of the healing process. The positive early results, which in 91% of all cases were classified as very good or good, the lack of complications that sometimes follow surgical treatment, the markedly earlier recovery of the patient's working capacity, and the clearly shorter - albeit somewhat more expensive - treatment period required have led us to continue using this method at our hospital and also to recommend its use elsewhere.