In a comparative, experimental examination of 60 human Cadaver radii, the stability of various, widely used internal fixation procedures of a distal radius fracture loco typico using a dorsal wedge was determined. The use of 2.5-mm Kirschner wires (K-wires) delivered a 10% greater stability than 1.8-mm K-wires. The 2.7-mm polylactide rods achieved a slightly greater stability than 1.8ram K-wires under accurate pinning conditions. Polylactide rods (35 mm length, 2 mm diameter) and polyglycolide rods (60 mm length, 2 mm diameter) proved to be 20% less solid than 1.8-ram K-wires and almost 45% less than plate fixation. The short polylactide pins, however, did not have enough hold in the proximal cortical bone. The 2.7-ram polylactide rods (60 mm length) complied with the stability prerequisites necessary for comparable substitution for K-wires in distal radius fractures. ods for tendons, muscles and soft parts, namely K-wire fixation and biodegradable rod fixation, have achieved "only" immobile stability. Fixation in a cast splint over a period of several weeks remains a necessity in these cases. The external fixator is the method chosen for compound fractures, fractures with a large zone of debris and for multiple trauma [16]. In most cases, the joint surface must be exactly reconstructed secondarily via plates or K-wires. Screw fixation is now obsolete due to the poor anchorability in the thin cortical bone of the distal radius, especially in the region 15 mm from the carpal-radius joint surface [10].
The following experimental examination will attempt to compare the various procedures in order to clarify the stability of different operative techniques in a simulated fracture. The stabilizing effect of the biodegradable rods as compared to the metallic will be demonstrated.