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DRAFFT

DRAFFT_Logo.png
Comparing Kirschner wire fixation and plate fixation to treat adult wrist fracture

Theme

Adult Trauma

Body Part

Forearm to Wrist

A broken bone in the wrist is a common injury, often caused when people put their hand out to save themselves during a fall. Some wrist fractures heal well in a cast or splint. But other more serious breaks need surgery, to fix the bones back in the correct position while they heal.

Doctors argue about the best way to hold the broken wrist bone in place while is heals. Some doctors recommend a metal plate with special 'locked' screws. However, other doctors believe that simple metal wires can hold the broken bones just as well.

The DRAFFT study was a randomised controlled trial comparing surgical fixation with a locked plate versus fixation with wires for patients with a fracture of the wrist. The study measured patients' recovery in terms of pain and wrist function. Results were reported at one year, and again at five years to see which method worked better in the long term. 

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