Comparison of the conventional Henry approach and trans-flexor carpi radialis approach for the treatment of distal radius fracture: A retrospective cohort study

Few studies have compared the clinical outcomes of the conventional Henry approach and trans-flexor carpi radialis (FCR) approach. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes of the conventional Henry approach and trans-FCR approach for the treatment of distal radius fractures. We compared 20 wrists that underwent the conventional Henry approach with 20 wrists that underwent the trans-FCR approach for open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fracture. The clinical and radiological parameters were checked at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. A visual analogue scale score, the modified Mayo wrist score, range of motion, and grip strength were collected. In addition, tenderness in the area of the FCR tendon were assessed. Regarding radiologic evaluations, the radial inclination, radial height, volar tilt, and ulna variance were measured. In the trans-FCR approach group, 15 patients complained of tenderness in the area of the FCR tendon at 3 months after surgery, which was significantly higher than those of conventional Henry approach group (P < .05). In the conventional Henry approach group, the tenderness had resolved spontaneously by 1 year after surgery in 19 patients. The trans-FCR approach can cause discomfort such as tenderness to the area of the FCR tendon compared to the conventional Henry approach, but there is no significant difference in the final clinical and radiologic outcomes.