Intramedullary nailing and plating osteosynthesis in the correction of post-traumatic deformity in late-diagnosed distal radius fractures: a retrospective comparison study

BACKGROUND: Various surgical modalities are available for correction of deformity in late-diagnosed distal radius fractures. This study compared surgical outcomes between intramedullary nailing and plating osteosynthesis in open-wedge osteotomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 47 unilateral distal radius fractures that underwent open-wedge osteotomy at more than 4 weeks after injury between 2006 and 2011. A locally resected exuberant callus was used as the bone graft. Two types of fixation were used: intramedullary nail in 22 patients (group A) and locking plate in 25 patients (group B). Radiographic analysis including radial height, radial inclination, and volar tilt were performed preoperatively and 2-year postoperatively. The Modified Mayo Wrist Score (MMWS) was used for functional evaluation and a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) for residual pain assessment. Patient satisfaction was self-reported as a 5-point scale. Radiographic data, functional outcomes, and surgical complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: All fractures achieved bone union without major complications. The MMWS averaged 84.8 ± 9.7 in group A and 85.2 ± 8.4 in group B, without significant differences (p = 0.436). Instead, significant differences were found in mean wrist flexion (73.6 ± 7.9 vs. 69.6 ± 7.8 degrees; p = 0.042), patient satisfaction (3.6 ± 1.1 vs. 2.9 ± 1.2; p = 0.034), postoperative radial height (11.6 ± 2.6 vs. 10.2 ± 3 mm; p = 0.039) and inclination (20.8 ± 2.8 vs. 17.7 ± 4.1 degrees; p = 0.004), and implant-related complications (9% vs. 36%; p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in other assessment items including postoperative grip strength, pain scale, supination/pronation/extension, volar tilt, correction angles of all three parameters, and general complication rate. Four patients in group A (18%) and 2 in group B (8%) experienced postoperative paresthesia of the surgical hand; no significant difference was noted. All except one patient in group B had full recovery of neurological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Open-wedge osteotomy with either an intramedullary nail or locking plate fixation yielded encouraging radiographic and functional outcomes. Intramedullary nail fixation may facilitate restoration of radial height and inclination with better wrist flexion, less implant-related complications, and greater patient satisfaction.