COMPARATIVE STUDY EVALUATING OUTCOMES OF CONSERVATIVE VERSUS VOLAR LOCKING PLATE OSTEOSYNTHESIS FOR UNSTABLE DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURES

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to compare the results of conservative management and volar locking plate by assessing the functional and radiological parameters using Stewart et al. system (1) and Sarmiento’s modification of Gartland and Werley scores (2) respectively in cases of unstable distal radius fractures. Materials & Methods: This was a prospective comparative study, which included 50 cases of distal radius fractures with 32 cases in the conservative group and 18 cases in the operative group. Radiographic and functional outcomes were assessed at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months using Stewart et al. system and Sarmiento’s modification of Gartland and Werley scores respectively. Results: In operative group, radiological results were well to excellent results in 100% of the patients while in conservative group, 30% had excellent results, 17% had good results and 53% had fair result. At 6 months after surgery, functional results in both groups were improved. In operative group, 100% had excellent results while in conservative group 48% had excellent, 44.44% had good, and 7% had fair results. Conclusion: This study shows that volar locking plates evidently has better results in terms of achieved faster and accelerated functional recovery.