E. Lenoble et al., DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURES WITH DORSAL DISPL ACEMENT - COMPARISON OF THEPREDICTIVE VALUE OF 6 CLASSIFICATION, Revue de chirurgie orthopedique et reparatrice de l'appareil moteur, 82(5), 1996, pp. 396-402
Purpose of the study The authors compare six classifications in a pros
pective study of distal radius fractures surgical treatment. Classific
ations included Castaing's, Frykman's, Gartland's, Older's, Lindstrom'
s and Jenkins'. Material 96 patients presenting a distal radius fractu
re were included in a protocol comparing two surgical treatments. 42 w
ere treated with styloid pinning and immobilization while 54 with intr
a-focal pinning and immediate mobilization according to Kapandji's tec
hnique. Methods Each patient was graded initially according to each si
x classifications. Patients were reviewed at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12, and 24
months. Clinical and radiographical evaluation were performed. Clinic
al and radiological results were compared according to each group of c
lassification. Results None of the six classifications appeared to hav
e any utility to predict functional or radiological results. None was
able to distinguish treatment option. Discussion The six classificatio
ns did not permit to predict clinical or radiological outcome of dista
l radius fractures treated by radial styloid pinning or Kapandji's tec
hnique. All those classifications have been described for conservative
treatment rarely performed in France for displaced fractures. Conclus
ion The six classifications tested showed no predictive value in K-wir
e treatment of dorsally displaced distal radius fractures.