Mid-term outcomes of distal radius fractures treatment with arthroscopic assistance: a prospective comparative study

Introduction. Distal radius fractures (DRF) have a leading place in the overall structure of upper limb injuries, and therefore the issue of long-term results of their treatment remains relevant. To date, arthroscopic support is actively used when performing osteosynthesis, however, the contribution of arthroscopy to long-term results has not yet been reliably assessed. When fixing DRF with a volar plate with angular stability, a technique of arthroscopy of the wrist joint under stretching conditions in an external fixation device (EFD) was proposed.The aim of the study: to improve the mid-term results of treatment of intra-articular DRF using arthroscopy for the diagnosis and reposition of fragments. Among the objectives of the study, the assessment of objective and subjective mid-term results at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery was highlighted. Materials and methods: the prospective study included 98 patients divided into 3 groups, depending on surgical treatment. After 6 and 12 months mid-term results were evaluated by objective parameters (such as hand grip strength index, flexion/extension function, rotational function), as well as subjective (DASH). Results: improvement of objective and subjective indicators was noted in all groups within 12 months after surgery. Objective data were not obtained in favor of using arthroscopic support for DRF, since all indicators did not have statistically significant differences. When assessing the subjective parameters of DASH, a significant better result was noted in favor of arthroscopic support: in the study group, the average DASH value was 8.42 ± 5.41 points, in the first comparison group - 9.07± 5.11 points, in the second comparison group - 11.47± 5.05 points.Conclusion: arthroscopic assistance (under EFD conditions) for osteosynthesis of intra-articular DRF significantly improves the subjective assessment of DASH, but not objective indicators of restoration of upper limb function 12 months after injury.