[Studying minimally invasive osteosynthesis methods for distal radius fractures. Intra-focal vs. conventional wire osteosynthesis].

From 1992 to 1995 126 patients were treated with percutaneous wire pinning. Sixty-one patients were treated by Kapandji's technique and 65 patients were treated conventionally. Forty-nine patients were examined by 3 different scores (Cooney, Castaing, Stewart). The analysis of the scores showed no differences between the Kapandji technique and the conventional method. Functional and radiological results showed no correlation. Furthermore we found out that the results depend on the score. We conclude that the Kapandji technique shows no benefit in comparison to the conventional method. Functional and radiological results are not divisible: a conclusion from X-ray to function and vice versa is not allowed. A comparison of results is senseless if someone does not use the same score.