Objective To investigate the efficacy of external fixator combined with limited internal fixation for the treatment of senile distal radius fractures. Methods Eighty elderly patients with distal radius fracture were divided into control group (n=40) and observation group (n=40) according to randomized controlled principle. The control group was treated with open reduction and internal fixation, and the observation group was treated with external fixation combined with limited internal fixation. The shortterm efficacy was evaluated using the wrist joint function assessment scale. Changes of palmar tilt and ulnar inclination in both groups at different postoperative stages were recorded. Results All patients in the observation group had good recovery of the wrist joint function, and 32 patients were assessed as excellent and 4 patients as good. The overall excellent and good rate of the observation group was obviously higher than that of the control group (90.0% vs 65.0%). There was a statistical difference in the efficacy between the two groups (P＜0.05). At 3 months and at 6 months after operation, the palmar tilt ［(8.3±2.5) ° and (8.6±2.5) °, respectively］ and ulnar deviation ［(15.4±6.7) ° and (16.1±6.8) ° , respectively］ were significantly increased in the observation group compared with the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusions For elderly patients with distal radius fractures, external fixation combined with limited internal fixation has good shortterm efficacy and faster recovery of wrist joint function. This approach is worthy of promotion and application.

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