Arthroscopic treatment with absorbable bone cement for intra-articular comminuted fracture of the distal radius

Bangxian Dou, Department of Hand Surgery, Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.
Huiling Tian, School of Basic Medicine, Zhengzhou Railway Vocational and Technical College, Zhengzhou, China
Xuedong Li, Department of Hand Surgery, Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the clinical application value of arthroscopic injection of absorbable calcium sulfate bone cement in the treatment of distal radius intra-articular comminuted fractures. Methods: A total of 15 patients with distal radius intra-articular comminuted fractures treated in the Department of Hand Surgery I of our hospital from January 2020 to October 2021 were selected as the research subjects, including nine males and six females, aged 25-55. Closed reduction was performed first, followed by arthroscopic-assisted fracture reduction to eliminate step-off caused by the fracture and to inspect and repair damaged ligaments. Absorbable bone cement was injected into the fracture gap under fluoroscopy or arthroscopic guidance. The Mayo wrist score and Gartland-Werley score were used to assess wrist pain and joint function of the patients. Results: In the latest follow-up, 12 cases achieved excellent results in the Mayo score, and three cases achieved good results; Gartland-Werley score: 11 cases were excellent, and 4 cases were good. Conclusions: Arthroscopic injection of calcium sulfate bone cement for distal radius intra-articular comminuted fractures is effective, with the advantages of minimal trauma, satisfactory reduction, fewer post-operative complications, and the ability for early functional exercise in patients.

Keywords: Wrist arthroscopy. Calcium sulfate bone cement. Distal radius intra-articular comminuted fracture. Traumatic arthritis.