Volar Plating vs. External Fixator with Cross K-wire for Distal Radius Fracture

Background: Now a days there is increased utilization of volar locking plates fixation over external fixation. However, the comparative complications and outcomes of both surgical methods are still unclear. Purpose: The purpose is to compare if volar locking plate is superior to external fixation for distal radius fractures with comparison of complications associated with both surgical methods. Materials and Methods: An observational study was done from 2020 to 2022 among patients presented with displaced distal end radius of 30 patients in which 15 were treated with external fixator with cross k – wire and 15 were treated with volar locking plate with an average of 12 month or longer follow up. Results: Acceptable functional outcomes were observed with DASH scoring in 70% of study population. The functional outcome score was higher in younger population with an overall complication rate of 17% including pin track infection, hardware related issues, tendon injury, nerve dysfunction. Conclusions: In the volar plating patients outcomes (DASH SCORE), In the first 3 and 6 months is better than External fixation, However after 1 year the outcomes of both techniques found equal with little difference in terms of range of motion, grip strength, osteoarthritis.