Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures in Women Older than 80 Years: A Preliminary Report of Functional and Radiographic Outcomes after Open Reduction and Internal Fixation

Author(s):  
Lili E. Schindelar ◽  
Richard M. McEntee ◽  
Robert E. Gallivan ◽  
Brian Katt ◽  
Pedro K. Beredjiklian

Abstract Background Distal radius fractures are one of the most common fractures seen in the elderly. The management of distal radius fractures in the elderly, especially patients older than 80 years, has not been well defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate operative treatment of distal radius fractures in patients older than 80 years to determine functional outcomes and complication rates. Materials and Methods A retrospective review was performed to identify patients 80 years or older who were treated for a distal radius fracture with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Medical records were reviewed for demographics, medical history, functional outcomes including quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (qDASH), radiographs, and postoperative complications. Results There were 40 patients included for review. Average age was 84 years. The preoperative qDASH score was 69. At 6 months follow-up, the postoperative qDASH score was 13 (p < 0.001). There were five (12.5%) complications reported postoperatively. All fractures healed with adequate radiographic alignment and there were no hardware failures. Conclusion Distal radius fractures in patients older than 80 years treated with ORIF have good functional outcomes and low complication rates. Increased functionality and independence of the elderly, as well as updated implant design can lead to the effective surgical management of these patients. When indicated from a clinical perspective, operative fixation of distal radius fractures should be considered in patients older than 80 years.

Author(s):  
George W.V. Cross ◽  
Ramandeep S. Saini ◽  
Mohammed Monem ◽  
Rajesh Sofat

Abstract Background Fractures of the distal radius are a common injury. The British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) and The British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) have released new guidelines outlining the management of these fractures, specifically identifying “thresholds for intervention,” based on radiological parameters for management with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Questions/Purposes Have our distal radius fractures (DRFs), previously managed with ORIF, met the new guidelines' thresholds for intervention, based on radiological parameters? Patients and Methods A retrospective assessment of DRFs treated with ORIF was performed between January 2017 and August 2018. Patients were categorized into three cohorts based on their age. The five radiological parameters of ulnar variance, dorsal tilt, radial inclination, radial height, and intra-articular step were measured on the initial plain radiograph, “pre-manipulation film,” postplaster application radiograph, and “post-manipulation film.”These were compared with the “thresholds for intervention” outlined in the BOA/BSSH guidelines. Results A total of 94 patients underwent an ORIF with a mean age of 56 years (range 17–86 years). As many as 75.74% of patients on the ”pre-manipulation film” met the “threshold for intervention” on at least one radiological parameter, while 53.57% of patients on the “post-manipulation” met at least one “threshold for intervention.” Dorsal tilt was the parameter that most often met the threshold in both films at 53.37% and 40.11%, respectively. Conclusion Within our trust, there is a tendency to over manage the distal radius fracture with ORIF, potentially resulting in unnecessary operations. Education surrounding the new guidelines will better serve our decision-making. Level of Evidence This is a level III study.


1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 369-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
RL Pradhan ◽  
S Lakhey ◽  
BK Pandey ◽  
RR Manandhar ◽  
KP Rijal ◽  
...  

Background: Distal radius fractures are a common injury and without proper treatment leads to high functional impairment and frequent complications. Objective: The aim of this study was to see the functional outcome in patients with comminuted distal radius fractures treated with combined external fixation and open reduction with volar plating. Materials and methods: All comminuted distal radius fractures classified as type C in AO/OTA classification were enrolled for the study from 2005 till 2008. The clinical scoring chart modified by Cooney was used to evaluate the functional outcome. Results: There were twenty-two patients with the average age of 42.18 years (range 19-60) with 15 male and 7 females. The follow-up period was from 14 to 46 months. Accordingly, there were 11 (50%) excellent, 7 (31%) good, 2 (9%) fair and 2 (9%) poor results. There were very few complications in our series. In three patients additional K-wire supplementation was necessary along with external and open internal fixation. Conclusions: Comminuted intra-articular fractures of distal radius should be treated by open reduction and combined internal and external fixation to achieve a high rate of patient satisfaction and satisfactory functional outcome. Key words: distal radius fractures; volar plating; external fixationDOI: 10.3126/kumj.v7i4.2756 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2009) Vol.7, No.4 Issue 28, 369-373


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Hafez ◽  
A Shaat ◽  
M Zain ◽  
M A Sajid ◽  
A Butt

Abstract Aim The study aim is to determine the impact of the brachioradialis release during the open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fractures using a volar approach Method Total of 40 patients was treated with Open reduction and internal fixation of intra articular distal radius fractures. Distal release of Brachioradialis was performed to 19 patients, while 21 patients had no release of BR during surgery. Radiological parameters including Radial height, Inclination and volar tilt were measured 1 month post-operatively, while functional outcomes assessed with modified mayo wrist scores and Quick-dash scores Results There is no significant difference between age, gender and pre-operative conditions indicating that both the groups (BR release and without BR release) have similar demographic characteristics. Pre-operatively both groups had disturbed values for radial height, inclination, and volar tilt. Postoperatively, the mean of both groups was closer to normal ranges for radial inclination and volar tilt; however, radial height was the least adequately restored radiological parameter for both study group (11.54 ± 1.35 for BR group versus 10.21 ± 2.29 for Non-BR group). Pain, functional status, and grip strength had similar values in both groups whereas BR group showed higher ROM and DASH scores with P values of 0.048 and 0.025 respectively. Conclusions Brachioradialis release enhances the reduction and operative fixation, restoring the necessary radiological and subsequent functional parameters in distal radius fractures with reported no complications.


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