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October 5, 2025

Comparison of Volar Plating and Percutaneous K-Wire Fixation in Distal Radius Fractures

Key Points

Both volar plating and percutaneous K-wire demonstrate high functional outcomes in distal radius fractures.
In Group A, 85.71% achieved excellent functional outcomes compared to 74.29% in Group B, with no significant difference.
This randomized controlled trial included 70 patients and utilized the Gartland and Werley modification score for assessment.
Results suggest that while both methods are effective, the choice of technique may depend on individual patient circumstances.

Abstract

Background: In the recent past, surgeons used external fixation or a combination of bone grafting, Kirschner wire (K-wire) augmentation, and restricted open reduction to manage intra-articular distal radius fractures. However, fragment-specific fixation has become a sustainable alternative with the recent emergence of locking implants especially made for the distal radius. Besides of these, there is no consensus in terms of optimum treatment approaches. Objective: To compare the functional outcome of volar plate versus percutaneous K-wire in intra-articular distal radius fracture. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). Setting: Orthopedics Surgery Unit, Ghazi Khan medical college & Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. Duration of study: The current research work was conducted from 31st January 2024 to 31st July 2025. Materials and Methods: After approval from the ethical review board, 70 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled for the study. Group A underwent treatment with volar plating while B with percutaneous K-wire. All patients were operated by the same consultant orthopedic surgeon under general anesthesia. On the 2nd post-operative day, patients were discharged with instructions on rehabilitation protocol. Patients were followed up to 3 months, while functional outcome was determined with the help of Gartland and Werley modification score. Results: Comparison of the functional outcome of volar plate versus percutaneous k-wire in intra-articular distal radius fracture shows 85.71 % (n=30) in Group-A and 74.29 % (n=26) in Group-B had excellent functional outcome, 14.29 % (n=5) in Group-A and 25.71 % (n=9) in Group-B had good functional outcome, p-value was 0.23 showing no significant difference. CONCLUSION: We concluded that functional outcome of volar plate is comparable when compared with percutaneous k-wire in intra-articular distal radius fracture, however, the difference is not significant

KI fragen

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