Trial reportActa orthopaedica2009
Open reduction and internal fixation compared to closed reduction and external fixation in distal radial fractures: a randomized study of 50 patients.
Trial report in Acta orthopaedica, 2009. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 35 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
35 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Volar locking plate versus external fixation for unstable distal radius fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2021Pooled it
- What Is the Relative Effectiveness of the Various Surgical Treatment Options for Distal Radius Fractures? A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Clinical orthopaedics and related research · 2021Pooled it
- Interventions for treating wrist fractures in children.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2018Pooled it
- Internal Versus External Fixation for the Treatment of Distal Radial Fractures: A Systematic Review of Overlapping Meta-Analyses.Medicine · 2016Pooled it
- Comparison of internal and external fixation of distal radius fractures.Acta orthopaedica · 2013Pooled it
- Internal versus external fixation for unstable distal radius fractures: an up-to-date meta-analysis.International orthopaedics · 2011Pooled it
- Wrist function recovers more rapidly after volar locked plating than after external fixation but the outcomes are similar after 1 year.Acta orthopaedica · 2011Trial
- An Acta Orthopaedica educational article: Choosing treatment with an elderly patient having a distal radius fracture.Acta orthopaedica · 2026Review
- Radiographic and functional outcomes of dorsal-assisted volar plate fixation in comminuted intra-articular distal radius fractures: a prospective study.International journal of burns and trauma · 2026Article
- Supplemental metaphyseal fixation of severe comminuted distal radius fracture with a mini plate.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Article
- Review
- Incidence and Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Following Distal Radius Fractures: A TriNetX Analysis of 39,603 Patients.Journal of hand surgery global online · 2024Article
- Use of Plain Radiography of Uninjured Wrists as Patient-Specific Markers of Successful Reduction of Unilateral Distal Radius Fractures.Hand (New York, N.Y.) · 2022Article
- Balance Between Mechanical Stability and Mechano-Biology of Fracture Healing Under Volar Locking Plate.Annals of biomedical engineering · 2021Article
- Analysis of the Clinical and Radiological Results of Bridge Plate Versus External Fixation in Comminuted Distal Radius Fractures.Revista brasileira de ortopedia · 2021Article
- Combined palmar and dorsal plating of four-part distal radius fractures: Our clinical and radiological results.Joint diseases and related surgery · 2021Article
- Disability and Pain are the Best Predictors of Sick Leave After a Distal Radius Fracture in Men.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2020Article
- Epidemiology and treatment of distal radius fractures: current concept based on fracture severity and not on age.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2020Article
- Epidemiology of distal radius fracture in Akershus, Norway, in 2010-2011.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2018Article
- The Cost-Effectiveness of Surgical Fixation of Distal Radial Fractures: A Computer Model-Based Evaluation of Three Operative Modalities.The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume · 2018Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
background and purposeIn unstable distal radial fractures that are impossible to reduce or to maintain in reduced position, the treatment of choice is operation. The type of operation and the choice of implant, however, is a matter of discussion. Our aim was to investigate whether open reduction and internal fixation would produce a better result than traditional external fixation.
methods50 patients with an unstable or comminute distal radius fracture were randomized to either closed reduction and bridging external fixation, or open reduction and internal fixation using the TriMed system. The primary outcome parameter was grip strength, but the patients were followed for 1 year with objective clinical assessment, subjective outcome using DASH, and radiographic examination.
resultsAt 1 year postoperatively, grip strength was 90% (SD 16) of the uninjured side in the internal fixation group and 78% (17) in the external fixation group. Pronation/supination was 150 degrees (15) in the internal fixation group and 136 degrees (20) in the external fixation group at 1 year. There were no differences in DASH scores or in radiographic parameters. 5 patients in the external fixation group were reoperated due to malunion, as compared to 1 in the internal fixation group. 7 other cases were classified as radiographic malunion: 5 in the external fixation group and 2 in the internal fixation group.
interpretationInternal fixation gave better grip strength and a better range of motion at 1 year, and tended to have less malunions than external fixation. No difference could be found regarding subjective outcome.
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