PERCUTANEOUS PINNING OF DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURES - A BIOMECHANICAL STUDY

Mechanical testing of extra-articular distal radius fractures stabiliz ed with percutaneous pins was performed. Twelve fresh-frozen unembalme d radii stripped of all soft tissues were used. An osteotomy with dors al comminution was made 2.5 cm proximal to the radial styloid. Three p in sizes and four pin configurations were used to fix the fracture, an d the constructs were mechanically tested. Results show that at least a .062-inch pin was required for any significant changes in rigidity o f the four pin configurations tested to be discerned. Cross-pinning wi th two radial styloid pins and placement of a pin from the ulnar corne r of the radius as the most rigid construct in both torsion and cantil ever bending.