Posttraumatic arthritis and functional outcomes of nonoperatively treated distal radius fractures after 3 years.

Recent studies have shown that distal radius fractures (DRFs) in elderly patients can be treated nonoperatively with good functional results after 1 year. However, scientific evidence regarding longer follow-up to assess posttraumatic arthritis (PA), complications, and functional outcomes is scarce. This prospective case series aimed to evaluate these outcomes in a cohort of patients ≥ 65-year-old with nonoperatively treated DRFs after a minimum of 3 years. The primary outcome was PA. Secondary outcomes were complications, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Outcome Measure (QuickDASH), Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE), pain, range of motion and grip strength. The full data of 32 patients with a mean follow-up of 3.3 years were available: 10/32 patients had radiological signs of PA, but only 2 of these patients reported pain. A total of 11/32 fractures healed in malunion (> 10° dorsal angulation). There was no significant difference in QuickDASH or PRWHE from 1 year to the latest follow-up after more than 3 years. This study thus adds to the literature stating that radiological signs, including PA and malunion, do not necessarily result in symptoms. Moreover, it underpins that nonoperative treatment of these patients results in good functional outcomes after 1 and 3 years.

Prospective Evaluation of Two Cohorts of Non-Operatively Treated Patients with Displaced vs. Minimally and Non-Displaced Distal Radius Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Distal radius fractures (DRFs) in the elderly are common. Recently, the efficacy of operative treatment of displaced DRFs in patients above 65 years of age has been questioned and it has been suggested that non-operative treatment should be the gold standard. However, the complications and functional outcome of displaced vs. minimally and non-displaced DRFs in the elderly has not been evaluated yet. The aim of the present study was to compare non-operatively treated displaced DRFs vs. minimally and non-displaced DRFs in terms of complications, PROMs, grip strength and range of motion (ROM) after 2 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 months and 12 months. METHODS: We used a prospective cohort study that compared patients with displaced DRFs (n = 50), i.e., >10 degrees of dorsal angulation after two reduction attempts, with patients with minimally or non-displaced DRFs after reduction. Both cohorts received the same treatment of 5 weeks of dorsal plaster casting. Complications and functional outcomes (quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (QuickDASH), patient-rated wrist/hand evaluation (PRWHE), grip strength and EQ-5D scores) were assessed after 5 weeks, 6 months and 12 months post-injury. The protocol of the VOLCON RCT and present observational study has been published (PMC6599306; clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03716661). RESULTS: One year after 5 weeks of dorsal below-elbow casting of low-energy DRFs in patients ≥ 65 years old, we found a complication rate of 6.3% (3/48) in minimally or non-displaced DRFs and 16.6% (7/42) in displaced DRFs (p = 0.18). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in functional outcomes in terms of QuickDASH, pain, ROM, grip strength or EQ-5D scores. DISCUSSION: In patients above 65 years of age, non-operative treatment, i.e., closed reduction and dorsal casting for 5 weeks, yielded similar complication rates and functional outcomes after 1 year regardless of whether the initial fracture was non-displaced/minimally displaced or still displaced after closed reduction. While the initial closed reduction should still be attempted in order to restore the anatomy, failure to achieve the stipulated radiological criteria may not be as important as we thought in terms of complications and functional outcome.

VOLCON: a randomized controlled trial investigating complications and functional outcome of volar plating vs casting of unstable distal radius fractures in patients older than 65 years.

BACKGROUND: Primary aim: to compare complications of operative vs non-operative treatment of unstable distal radius fractures (DRF) fulfilling national clinical guidelines for operative treatment. Secondary aim: to compare the functional outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-centre randomized controlled trial of unstable DRF. 50 patients: volar locking plate, 2 weeks casting + 3 weeks orthosis. 50 patients: 5 weeks casting. PRIMARY OUTCOME: complications assessed after 2 and 5 weeks and 6 and 12 months. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Quick-DASH, PRWHE, range of motion, grip strength, EQ-5D-3L. RESULTS: 148 patients were screened from November 2019 to March 2021. 48 patients did not want to participate or were unable to participate in the follow-up. 100 patients were randomized and 85 patients were available for full analysis due to there being 4 deaths, 6 withdrawals, 1 wrong inclusion, 1 emigration, 1 refracture, 1 patient with compartment syndrome, and 1 who was advised to undergo surgery after being randomized to non-operative treatment. Median age was 74 years (range 65-92), 81 women/19 men, 42 right/58 left side, 87 retired, 11 smokers, 86 ASA class 1 or 2. Complication rates did not statistical significantly vary between the operative and non-operative group: 20.9% (9/43) vs 16.6% (7/42), p = 0.78 (Fisher's exact test). Complications were driven by sensory disturbances. Four reoperations were performed: two in the non-operative group: carpal tunnel syndrome; two in the operative group: one carpal tunnel syndrome, one protruding screw causing extensor tendon irritation. Mean difference in Quick-DASH varied from 2.3 (95% CI - 3 to 8) pre-injury to 4.2 (- 4 to 12) at 12 months. Quick-DASH and PRWHE were neither statistically nor clinically-relevant different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Complication rates after operative and non-operative treatment of DRF were similar. Volar plating did not improve the functional outcome after 5 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. These findings are in line with recent RCTs and mandate a revision of guidelines towards more conservative treatment. TAKE HOME MESSAGES: (1) consider non-operative treatment in elderly patients sustaining unstable DRFs; (2) choosing operative treatment in patients older than 65 years should not be the gold standard; (3) however, non-operative treatment still carries a risk for complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03716661, registered 23rd Oct 2018; Published protocol PMC6599306.

Objective Outcome Measures Continue to Improve from 6 to 12 Months after Conservatively Treated Distal Radius Fractures in the Elderly-A Prospective Evaluation of 50 Patients.

Distal radius fractures (DRF) in the elderly population above 65 years represent 18% of all fractures and are thereby the second most frequent fracture in the elderly. Fracture dislocation and comminution are often used to determine whether non-operative or operative treatment is indicated. The purpose of this prospective case series of minimally displaced DRF treated with a dorsal cast was to assess the complication rate and patient-reported outcome measures. This single-centre, single-blinded, prospective case series followed 50 conservatively treated DRF patients for one year. Primary outcomes were complications and Quick Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand (qDASH) score. Secondary outcomes were range of motion (ROM), grip strength and pain, and Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE). Results showed only minor complications with a return to prior ROM, qDASH, and pain after 12 months and improvement in outcomes after 6-12 months. In conclusion, the majority of DRF patients who were treated non-operatively with five-week dorsal casting recover fully after minimally displaced DRF. This standard approach is thus considered safe, and the present results provide a reference for other studies.

Mobile- vs. fixed-bearing total knee replacement.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is unclear whether mobile-bearing (MB) total knee arthroplasties reduce the risk of tibial component loosening compared to fixed-bearing (FB) designs. This randomized study investigated implant migration, periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD), and patient-reported outcomes (Oxford knee score)-all at 2 years-for the P.F.C. Sigma Cruciate Retaining total knee arthroplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 50 osteoarthritis patients were allocated to either FB or MB tibial articulation. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: At 2 years, the mean total translation (implant migration) was higher for the FB implant (0.30 mm, SD 0.22) than for the MB implant (0.17 mm, SD 0.09) (p = 0.04). BMD decreased between baseline and 1-year follow-up. At 2-year follow-up, BMD was close to the baseline level. The knee scores of both groups improved equally well. The FB tibial implant migrated more than the MB, but this was not clinically significant. The mobile polyethylene presumably partly absorbs the force transmitted to the metal tibial tray, thereby reducing micromotion.

[Subcutaneous atrophy following steroid injection in the treatment of trigger finger].

Trigger finger (TF), also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a rather common condition that causes entrapment of the flexor tendon at the site of the annular pulley. The accepted first-line treatment for TF is injection of long-acting corticosteroid in the involved flexor tendon sheath. This treatment is characterized by a high success rate and a low level of reported adverse effects in the literature. We report a case of subcutaneous atrophy after steroid injection in the treatment of TF.

Reproducibility of BMD measurements in the prosthetic knee comparing knee-specific software to traditional DXA software: a clinical validation.

The aim of this study was to validate new knee-specific dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) software for cemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA) before initiation of a randomized controlled trial. Firstly, in a phantom study, we evaluated if cementation influenced the measured BMD (g/cm²), the scan reproducibility with the new knee-specific software, and the consequences of leg rotation around a vertical axis. Secondly, in a clinical study, we assessed the clinical reproducibility in repetitive scans performed with the new knee-specific software and with traditional spine-mode DXA software, and further compared the 2 softwares' ability to point type implant and bone edges correctly. Cementation increased the measured bone mineral density (BMD) (p < 0.01). For reproducibility, the coefficient of variation (CV) was 0.52-0.70% in vitro. Leg rotation around a vertical axis significantly changed the measured BMD in most scans. Automatic point typing of implant and bone edge was of varying quality with frequent need of manual correction for both softwares. CVs of clinical reproducibility ranged from 2.78% to 6.19% for knee-specific software and from 1.45% to 6.06% for spine-mode software. We found the new knee-specific software valid for BMD measurement of the bone in proximity of cemented TKA and with clinical reproducibility and corrections of point typing similar to traditional spine-mode software.