Evaluation of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes after Cross Pinning and Transverse Pinning Methods in Metaphysis Distal Radius Fractures in Children

Background: Distal radius fractures are among the most common and important fractures in children. Among surgical techniques, percutaneous pinning is a widely used and relatively simple method for treatment. This study aims to compare the outcomes of parallel versus transverse pinning in such fractures. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, children aged 5 to 10 years with distal radius fractures who were referred to Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital during 2021–2022 were included. After taking a detailed history and performing clinical examination, patients were treated using either parallel or transverse pinning techniques. Results: A total of 47 patients were evaluated, including 35 boys (74.5%) and 12 girls (25.5%) with a mean age of 7.5±1.7 years. In both surgical groups, the DASH and MAYO scores showed significant improvement compared to preoperative status. This reflects improved function, reduced symptoms and pain, higher patient satisfaction, and better hand performance. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in postoperative DASH and MAYO scores. Conclusion: The results indicate that both parallel and transverse pinning methods yield similar clinical outcomes and complication rates. Therefore, either technique can be considered safe and effective for managing distal radius fractures in children.