Functional outcomes of extra-articular distal radius fracture using T-butter plate

Haroon  Rasheed; Khalid  Mahmood; Shaukat Hayat  Khan; Iffat  Arra; . Summyia

doi:10.54112/bcsrj.v6i3.1620

Authors

Haroon Rasheed Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, SKBZ/CMH Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
Khalid Mahmood Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, SKBZ/CMH Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
Shaukat Hayat Khan Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, SKBZ/CMH Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
Iffat Arra Department of Radiology, SKBZ/CMH Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
. Summyia THQ Hajjira, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v6i3.1620

Keywords:

Closed Reduction Extra-Articular Fracture, Functional Outcome, Green and O’Brien Score, Kirschner’s Wires, Radius and Open Reduction

Abstract

Extra-articular distal radius fractures are common upper limb injuries, and optimal surgical intervention remains debated. While Kirschner’s wire (K-wire) fixation is traditionally used, volar locking plates such as the T-butterfly (T-butters) plate offer potentially superior outcomes. Objective: To assess the functional outcome of extra-articular distal radius fractures treated with T-butters volar locking plate compared to closed reduction and K-wire fixation. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at SKBZ/CMH Muzaffarabad after obtaining ethical approval from January to July 2023. A total of 70 patients aged 20–40 years with extra-articular distal radius fractures were randomized into two equal groups: Group T (open reduction and internal fixation with T-butters volar locking plate) and Group K (closed reduction and K-wire fixation followed by plaster immobilization). Functional outcomes were evaluated at 20 weeks postoperatively using a standardized scoring system. Results: In Group T, 12 patients (34.3%) had excellent outcomes, 20 (57.1%) had good outcomes, and 3 (8.6%) had fair outcomes, with no poor outcomes reported. In Group K, two patients (5.7%) had excellent outcomes, 18 (51.4%) had good outcomes, 12 (34.3%) had fair outcomes, and three patients (8.6%) had poor outcomes. Functional outcomes were significantly better in Group T compared to Group K (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of T-butters volar locking plate for the fixation of extra-articular distal radius fractures provides superior functional outcomes with fewer complications compared to K-wire fixation. It should be considered a preferred method of surgical management for such fractures in young adults.

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