The author presents a prospective study in which he uses the external fixation method associated with the autogenous bone graft for the management of articular and metacarpal distal radius fractures. Thirty-six patients with a mean age of 52,2 years were treated. The follow-up had na average duration of 36,2 months. The stability of the reduction and its maintenance were assured by the external fixation with the autogenous bone graft. In the patients who underwent a densitometric analysis of the bone mass, the presence of the autogenous mass showed statistically steady in the long run. With this technique the rehabilitation could be antecipated had began in the immediate postoperative period, thas favoring the mobilization. In the fourth week the external fixation device is removed, this restoring the free movement of the wrist, except for the extension which is hampered by an splint of dorsal situation for two additional weeks. In the review of the data resulting from the treatment the anatomical and functional features were considered. The anatomical findings were obtained from radiographic examinations on the patients. The analysis of these outcomes were based on the Scheck method (1962) and were graded excellent in 72% of the cases, and good in 28%, satisfactory as a whole. The data related to the function obtained were evaluated based on the Green And O'Brien system (1978) modified by Cooney et al.(1987). In the 24th week, 14% were considered insatisfactory and 86% satisfactory. At 12 months and in december,1999, they were considere satisfactory as a whole. The complications detected during the treatment were: pine site infections in 8,31% of the cases, and transient symptoms of post-traumatic sympathetic dystrophy in 8,33%, all of them thoroughly resolved with appropriate therapy. In 33% of the patients there were also identified signs of post-traumatic arthristis of the ulnal styloid process which however evolved asymptomatically in all cases under review.
Distal fractures; External fixator; Bone Transplantation; Densitometry
