COMPARISON OF INTRAMEDULLARY FIXATION AND PERCUTANEOUS PINNING OF DISPLACED AND COMMINUTED COLLES' FRACTURES: A PROSPECTIVE AND CONSECUTIVE STUDY

Abstract

This consecutive study comprised 86 patients who were available for follow up 5-51 months after sustaining a Colles' fracture-Older type IV. A total of 42 patients were treated with Kirschner (K) wires of whom one had bilateral fracture. Forty-four patients (of whom two had bilateral fractures) were treated with Rush nails. A functional assessment of the patients was made using both a questionnaire and a clinical examination. The end-results of residual deformity, subjective and objective findings, and complications were evaluated according to the Lucas' modification of the Sarmiento demerit point-rating system. At follow-up, the ulnar/radial deviation was significantly better in the patients operated on with K-wires (37° compared with 27°, p < 0.02, range in both groups 0-80°), but no differences were found in the other directions of movement. A total of three patients (7%) developed complications. The final result showed that 40 (93%) of the fractures treated with K-wires were excellent or good compared with 38 (86%) of those operated on with a Rush nail. One fracture in each group (2%) had a poor outcome. Comparison of the final results showed no significant difference between the two groups.