Abstract: Objective To explore the clinical effects of two internal fixations on C3 distal radius fractures in the elderly.Methods Thirty-eight elderly patients with C3 distal radius fractures received surgical treatment between October 2014 and April 2016.Among them,20 cases had internal fixation with locking volar plates,and 18 cases used traditional nonlocking volar plates and monolateral external fixators (the external fixators were removed two months later).The radiographs of fracture reduction,healing,and internal fixation sites,as well as clincal functions such as wrist function,at 3 and 12 months postoperative were followed and compared between the two groups.Mayo scores were used to evaluate wrist function.Results The 38 cases were followed up for an average of 16 months (between 12 and 20 months) after surgery.At 3 months postoperative,both groups healed without reduction lost or internal fixation loose,except that one case who used locking volar plates showed distal radius shortening and radial inclination loose.The mean Mayo score of the group using locking volar plates was 86.3±12.2:excellent for 10 cases,good for 9 cases,and satisfactory for 1 case,with an excellent-and-good rate of 95%;the mean Mayo score of the group using traditional nonlocking volar plates and monolateral external fixators was 81.9±14.3:excellent for 6 cases,good for 9 cases,and satisfactory for 3 cases,with an excellent-and-good rate of 83%;there was a statistical difference between the two groups (P<0.05).At 12 months postoperative,both groups healed well without reduction lost or internal fixation loose.The mean Mayo score of the group using locking volar plates was 93.2±10.3:excellent for 14 cases,good for 5 cases,and satisfactory for 1 case,with an excellent-and-good rate of 95%;the mean Mayo score of the group using traditional nonlocking volar plates and monolateral external fixators was 90.6±12.1:excellent for 11 cases,good for 6 cases,and satisfactory for 1 case, with an excellent-and-good rate of 94%;there was no difference between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion Both the studied internal fixations,locking volar plates and traditional nonlocking volar plates plus monolateral external fixator,are effective for C3 distal radius fractures of the elderly,but the former one has a better effect on the early recovery of wrist function.

Key words: Distal radius fracture of the elderly, Locking volar plate, Comparion of curative effect