To pin or not to pin, extra-articular distal radius fractures?

Distal radius fracture is a common injury faced in orthopedics, and managing these fractures is not founded on a well-established algorithm. To assess the functional and radiologic consequences of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of extra-articular distal radius fractures, we conducted a prospective cohort study of twenty (20) patients with extra-articular comminuted extra-articular distal radius fractures managed by closed reduction and percutaneous pinning and followed up for six (6) months. We found that the mean age of patients was 41.4 years. 16 (80%) patients were male. Motor vehicle accidents were the reason for trauma in 13 (65%) patients. Restoration of more than 74% of normal wrist range of motion. Pin loosening was documented in 3 cases. Pin track superficial infection (n=4) and malunion (n=1) were the other complications detected. The mean radial length, radial volar tilt, and radial inclination were 10.6 mm, 8.1 degrees, and 20.4 degrees, respectively. The functional consequences were excellent in 8 cases (40%), good in 6 cases (30%); fair in 4 (20%) cases, and poor in 2 cases (10%). Clearly, we concluded that percutaneous pinning is a good modality in treating less comminuted extra-articular distal radius fractures.