Appropriate treatment for fractures of the distal radius with dorsal displacement remains a subject of debate. Intrafocal pinning is the most widely used technique in France. Plate fixation has been developed to avoid secondary displacement and stiffness sometimes observed after pinning. We compared three osteosynthesis techniques for the same type of fracture (extra-articular with dorsal displacement). Sixty-two consecutive patients underwent osteosynthesis using the following techniques successively: posterior plates (20 patients mean age 59.9 years [range 25–87 years]), intra- and extrafocal pinning (22 patients mean age 55.6 years [range17–83 years]), the anterior plate (20 patients mean age 57.1 years [range 17–78 years]). An independent operator evaluated all patients using the Herzberg, Gartland and Werley and Dash scores. The radial slope in the frontal plane, sagittal tilt, and ulnar variance were measured and compared between the preoperative and last follow-up values. Kruskall-Wallis or ANOVA were applied as appropriate for continuous variables and the Chi-square test for non-continuous variables. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Mean operative time was equivalent for the two plates fixation techniques and twice as long as for pinning. There were more complications in the posterior plating group (32 % ) and less satisfactory function score despite a two-fold longer follow-up and a smaller number of operators. The best results were obtained with the anterior plating group in terms of range of motion (flexion–extension), DASH score, preservation of ulnar variance and presence of a largest number of excellent and very good outcomes according to Gartland. The pinning group provided the best results in terms of sagittal slope. The pinning and anterior plating groups had equivalent range of motion for pronation–supination and the same rate of complications (5 % ). Irrespective of the treatment arm, the Herzberg scores and the Gartland and Dash scores were better: in men, in patients aged less than 30 years, in patients with an associated fracture of the apex of the ulnar syloid process rather than its base. For these extra-articular fractures, pinning can provide good functional results like anterior plating but each treatment has advantages that functional analysis detected.
