Treatment of intra-articular fracture of distal radius fractures with fluoroscopic only or combined with arthroscopic control: A prospective tomodensitometric comparative study of 40 patients

• Published in: Orthopaedics & traumatology, surgery & research Vol. 104; no. 1; pp. 89 - 93
• Main Authors: Burnier, M., Le Chatelier Riquier, M., Herzberg, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01.02.2018
• Subjects: Distal radius fracture; Fluoroscopy; Tomodensitometry; Wrist arthroscopy; Wrist arthroscopy; Fluoroscopy; Tomodensitometry; Distal radius fracture
• ISSN: 1877-0568; 1877-0568
• DOI: 10.1016/j.otsr.2017.08.021

Considering articular distal radius fractures treated with volar plate, we hypothesized that articular radio-carpal displacement was better reduced with arthroscopic control than with only fluoroscopic control. Forty patients with similar articular radius fracture (type C according to AO classification) and high functional needs were treated with volar plate fixation. They were divided in two comparative groups: 20 patients in Fluoroscopic group and 20 patients in Arthroscopic group. Pre and postoperative radiographs and tomodensitometric images were analysed by an independent observer. We evaluate extra and intra-articular displacements according to “Patient Accident Fracture” classification. We observed a better reduction of the radio-carpal step-off and gap in the arthroscopic group, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The index of postoperative intra-articular reduction was better in the fluoroscopic group (5.5) than in the arthroscopic group (2.2) with a significant difference (p<0.05). According to these results, arthroscopy is useful to perform a better articular radio-carpal reduction in distal radius fracture. Level 3.