TITLE:
Clinical Application of Bridging External Fixator Combined with K-Wire Fixation for AO Type C3 Fractures of the Distal Radius
AUTHORS:
Huabao Ye, Dawen Wen, Yingqi Qiu, Jianquan Yao, Wang Li, Xiaoping Wan, Guohao Chen, Bin Lv, Yangguang Wang, Xinjing Xie
KEYWORDS:
Distal Radius Fracture, AO Type C3, External Fixator, K-Wire, Locking Plate
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.7,
July
21,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of bridging external fixator combined with K-wire fixation (BEF-KwF), simple bridging external fixator (BEF), and open reduction with volar locking plate internal fixation (IF-VLP) in the treatment of AO type C3 distal radius fractures, and to provide evidence-based support for optimizing treatment strategies for complex distal radius fractures. Methods: A retrospective cohort study included 90 patients with AO type C3 distal radius fractures treated at our center from January 2019 to December 2022. They were divided into three groups according to the surgical procedure, with 30 cases in each group: Group A (BEF-KwF), Group B (BEF alone), and Group C (IF-VLP). Perioperative indicators (operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay) were recorded. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Functional recovery was assessed using the Gartland-Werley wrist function score; radiological parameters including palmar tilt, radial inclination, and radial height were measured; and complications were documented. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0. Continuous data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and comparisons among groups were made using oneway ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Categorical data were compared using the chisquare test. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in baseline data (age, sex, cause of injury, fracture type) among the three groups (P > 0.05). Intraoperative blood loss in Group A (BEF-KwF) (35.2 ± 12.5 mL) was significantly less than that in Group C (105.6 ± 28.3 mL, P 0.05). Length of hospital stay in Group A (7.2 ± 2.1 d) was shorter than that in Group C (10.5 ± 3.0 d, P 0.05). The overall complication rate in Group A (10.0%) was significantly lower than that in Group B (53.3%) and Group C (26.67%) (P Conclusion: Bridging external fixator combined with Kwire fixation for AO type C3 distal radius fractures offers the advantages of minimal invasiveness, accurate reduction, and reliable fixation. It is superior to simple external fixation in terms of wrist functional recovery, radiological reduction quality, and complication control, and causes less trauma and enables earlier functional recovery compared with open reduction and volar locking plate internal fixation. It is recommended as one of the priority surgical options for AO type C3 distal radius fractures.