AbstractBackground: The objective of the study was to compare the functional outcomes between treatment with external fixator and percutaneous k-wires versus ORIF with Buttress Plating of intra-articular distal end radius fractures(AO Type B and C) using the Modified Green O’Brien scoring system. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled observational study with a sample size of 50 patients, where 25 were treated with external fixation and k-wires and 25 were treated with ORIF and plating. Patients were followed up 2, 6, 10, 14 weeks and 6 months after surgery and final assessment was done for fracture union and patients were assessed for pain, wrist range of motion (ROM), grip strength and activity and scored according to the Modified Green O’Brien Scoring System. Results: At 6 months after surgery, we observed that the final outcome using the Modified Green and O’Brien scoring system wasn’t significantly different in the two treatment modality groups with the external fixator group very slightly better than the plating group. Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference in the final outcome in both the study groups, assessed using The Modified Green O’Brien System, we preferred the treatment of intra-articular fractures of the distal radius (AO Type BandC) using the External Fixator and K-wires.

Keywords: Distal radius fractures, intra-articular, external fixation, buttress plating, Modified Green O’Brien.