Influencing factors for radial shortening after surgical operation for intra-articular fractures of the distal radius / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo analyze the influencing factors and clinical results of radial shortening after operation of intra-articular fractures. MethodsA total of 54 patients with intra-articular fractures of the distal radius treated surgically from January 2003 to January 2008 were followed up and divided into radial shortening group ( ＞ 4 mm) and control group ( ＜ 4 mm) by whether radial shortening was more than 4 mm. Fracture types, comminution and defection degree, age, surgical approach and internal fixation method, whether bone implant in operation, post-operative volar tilting angle and ulnar inclination angle, and wrist function score were investigated and compared between the two groups. ResultsThe incidence of radial shortening in post-operation of intra-articular fractures of the distal radius was 30％.Age and whether bone implant in operation were significantly different between the two groups. Type C fractures were more liable to radial shortening than type B fractures. Operation approach and internal fixation method have no significant influence on the radial shortening. Volar tilting angle and ulnar inclination angle were not significantly different between the two groups and the excellent and good rate of function score was lower in the radial shortening group. ConclusionThere is a high incidence of radial shortening after operation for the intra-articular fractures of the distal radius, which affects the clinical results of operation. Therefore, we should pay more attention to the influencing factors and take corresponding precaution methods during operation.