[Arthroscopic assessment of articular fractures of distal radius osteosyntheses by percutaneous pins].

OBJECTIVES

We studied the radiological results of percutaneous pinning in articular fractures of the distal radius. We did not, thereby, have a method of direct ligamentous and articular assessment. We realized an anatomical arthroscopic assessment at six weeks of osteosynthesis of wrists. The purpose was to study the correlation between the presence of anatomical lesions and the functional result.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients presenting an articular fracture with posterior displacement were included; 30 women and five men. The mean age was 62 years. All the patients were right -handed and this was the fractured side in 18 patients. The patients had clinical and radiological follow-up at three, six, 12 weeks and one year. Surgical techniques were Py or Kapandji pinning. An arthroscopy of the wrist was carried out at six weeks from the fixation at pin removal. An assessment of ligamentous lesions and quality of articular reduction was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight per cent of the patients had ligamentous lesions. Nine patients presented an interfragmentary distance greater than 1mm. Two patients had an articular step as high as 2mm.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical examination did not show any correlation between the anatomical imperfections noted at the time of arthroscopy and the function of the wrist at one year postoperative, regardless of the technique used.