1Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
2Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
Email: agumyanuarrizka@gmail.com, e_ramawan@yahoo.co.id, vincent.gunawan97@yahoo.com
Background
Frykman type IV distal radius fractures involve radiocarpal intra-articular disruption with an associated ulnar styloid fracture and may result in instability and functional impairment. Surgical options include volar locking plate fixation and percutaneous Kirschner wire (K-wire) pinning. This report compares clinical and radiological outcomes of two patients treated using different techniques.
Case Report
Case 1 was a 30-year-old male with a displaced intra-articular distal radius fracture (radial inclination 2°, radial height 1 mm). Open reduction and internal fixation with a volar locking plate restored alignment and enabled early mobilization. Case 2 was a 51-year-old female with acceptable post-reduction parameters (radial inclination 20°, radial height 10 mm) treated with percutaneous K-wire fixation. Both patients underwent postoperative immobilization followed by supervised rehabilitation. At 12-week follow-up, both demonstrated maintained radiographic alignment, satisfactory wrist range of motion, good intervention adherence, and no major complications.
Conclusion
Both volar plating and percutaneous pinning produced satisfactory short-term outcomes. Treatment selection should be individualized based on fracture displacement, stability, patient functional demands, and overall clinical condition.
Keywords: Distal Radius Fracture, Frykman Type IV, Volar Locking Plate, Kirschner Wire, Percutaneous Fixation
How to cite this article: Rizka AY, Ramawan E, Gunawan V. Comparative Outcomes of Volar Locking Plate Versus Percutaneous Kirschner Wire Fixation in Closed Frykman Type IV Distal Radius Fractures: A Two-Case Report with Short-Term Follow-up. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(10s): 455-457; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.10s.58
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None