Wired for Success or Plated for Perfection?: A Comparative Study of Distal Radius Fracture Fixation
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Abstract
Background: Distal radius fractures are the most frequent fractures, with a common cause being low-energy falls. Treatment is focused on restoring anatomical alignment, stability, and functional results. Two very common surgical modalities employed are Kirschner (K-wire) fixation and Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) with plating. Aim and Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes and effectiveness of K-wire fixation versus ORIF plating in treating distal radius fractures. Material and Methods: Retrospective comparative study was performed on those patients with distal radius fracture who were operated with either K-wire fixation or ORIF plating. Data collected from records of patients from a tertiary care centre. Results: The gender distribution (P-value=0.765) and side of fracture (P-value=1.000) are statistically insignificant between the ORIF and K-wire groups. Fracture type distribution is not statistically significant between the two groups (P-value=0.128), although K-wire was not used any cases of 2R3C fractures. The average age in the ORIF group was also lower (40.5 years) than that of the K-wire group (47.5 years), and not statistically significant (P-value=0.090). The ORIF group's average post-operative blood loss (60.0 ml) was significantly higher than the K-wire group's (12.5 ml), and with statistical significance (P-value=0.000). The mean operation time was much longer in the ORIF group (105.0 min) than in the K-wire group (75.0 min), and the difference was statistically significant (P-value0.000). 3 patients (20.0%) had superficial infection in the K-wire group, but none in the ORIF group. The difference was statistically significant (P-value=0.017). Conclusion: K-wire fixation and ORIF plating yield satisfactory outcomes in distal radius fractures, ORIF plating may offer superior early functional recovery and better maintenance of anatomical reduction in certain fracture patterns, albeit with potentially higher cost. K-wire fixation remains a viable and cost-effective option for simpler fracture configurations with comparable long-term results.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Vinay Kumar, Sajjad Ali, Mohammed Irshad PM, Dibin DK
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