Riassunto dello studio

Sixty patients with closed volar Barton’s fractures were randomized to receive a 3.5-mm T-plate with distal end screws (n=30) or the same T-plate without distal end screws (n=30). The primary outcome of interest was wrist function by Green-O’Brien score. Secondary outcomes included radiographic alignment by Stewart score, fracture-healing stage by Modified Warden score, and callus formation stage by Modified Warden score. Outcomes were assessed at day 0, 14, 28, and 90. Overall, the results revealed no between-group differences in functional outcomes at 90 days or Stewart alignment, while callus formation favored no distal screws at 90 days. In short, both strategies achieved comparable 3-month function and alignment, with potentially faster or more evident callus formation when distal screws were omitted.