Clinical case study on treatment of distal radius fracture with external fixator

Abstract

Introduction: Fracture of the distal radius is probably one of the most common fractures seen in emergency departments and requires special attention due to its incidence in the elderly population.

Objective: The aim was to characterize the treatment of distal radius fracture with external fixator.

Methods: The descriptive study was a clinical case of a 38-year-old patient who suffered a fall from a height of 7 meters, arrived at a health center 8 days after the accident, with the history of having been treated in his health area where conservative treatment was attempted, but proved impossible given the degree of comminution of the radius. He was referred to a second level institution for surgical intervention, through ligamentotaxis, with the use of an external fixator. Results: The procedure was performed using an external fixator, monoplanar, articular, model Sartori-Colles 180, a state-of-the-art device. It was evidenced that it did not require extensive surgical approaches in the affected area, decreased surgical time and allowed early rehabilitation.

Conclusions: Excellent anatomical and functional results were obtained and the authors conclude that despite the large comminution of the distal radius and marked deformity of the wrist, the surgical treatment of this patient was a success that deserves to be disseminated to highlight the importance of the use of ligamentotaxis in injuries of these characteristics.