Does Kapandji wiring help in older patients? A retrospective comparative review of displaced intra-articular distal radial fractures in patients over 55 years.

Forty-six patients aged 55-90 with intra-articular displaced fractures of the distal radius were reviewed retrospectively. All patients were treated with either manipulation and plaster of Paris or Kapandji wiring. Radiographic and functional review was performed by an independent observer a mean of 17 months after the fracture. The results showed superior anatomical and functional results in the group treated with Kapandji wiring. The mean dorsal angle was significantly better in the wired group, and the improvement in dorsal angle, radial angle and radial length from presentation to final result was also significantly better. Functional results were excellent or good in 19/23 of the wired group, compared with 12/23 of the plaster group. There was a strong correlation between functional outcome and both dorsal angle and radial length at union. These results support the use of this method of wire fixation in older patients, as the technique is simple and complications were few.