Abstract
Distal radius fractures characterised by the destruction of cortico-cancellous bone at a meta-epiphyseal site represent an extreme instability with possible secondary displacement. Therefore, in order to increase the surgical implant stability, we have started to use Norian SRS, this also because of the encouraging results obtained with bone graft. This material is like a paste; when injected in a site presenting loss of bone, it hardens within 10 min in a crystallisation process and after 24 h achieves a compressive strength equal to 55 Mpa. Norian is similar to the mineral phase of human bone and it is able to undergo remodelling and replacement by host bone through normal biological processes.
From January 1998 to August 2003 we have treated 57 distal radius fractures in patients between 30 and 77 years old; 36 were women and 21 men. Fractures were classified using the AO classification. The results were evaluated using the Mayo Wrist Score and the DASH questionnaire. Norian has been associated with different hardware. At first we used a percutaneous pinning, then the external fixation and lastly the internal synthesis with Tri-Med technique. With this a stable synthesis can be obtained that neutralizes the shear strengths that are the main causes of Norian destabilisation. Norian’s mechanical and biological features (osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity) and the synthesis stability complement each other and provide an extremely stable implant, which promotes early rehabilitation.
