Epidemiology and changed surgical treatment methods for fractures of the distal radius: a registry analysis of 42,583 patients in Stockholm County, Sweden, 2004­2010.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The incidence of fractures of the distal radius may have changed over the last decade, and operative treatment has been commoner during that time. We investigated the incidence of fractures of the distal radius and changing trends in surgical treatment during the period 2004-2010. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Registry data on 42,583 patients with a fracture of the distal radius from 2004 to 2010 were evaluated regarding diagnosis, age, sex, and surgical treatment. RESULTS: The crude incidence rate was 31 per 10(4) person-years with a bimodal distribution. After the age of 45 years, the incidence rate in women increased rapidly and leveled off first at a very high age. The incidence rate in postmenopausal women was lower than previously reported. In men, the incidence was low and it increased slowly until the age of 80 years, when it amounted to 31 per 10(4) person-years. The number of surgical procedures increased by more than 40% despite the fact that there was reduced incidence during the study period. In patients ≥ 18 years of age, the proportion of fractures treated with plating increased from 16% to 70% while the use of external fixation decreased by about the same amount. INTERPRETATION: The incidence rate of distal radius fractures in postmenopausal women appears to have decreased over the last few decades. There has been a shift in surgical treatment from external fixation to open reduction and plating.

Wrist function recovers more rapidly after volar locked plating than after external fixation but the outcomes are similar after 1 year.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Promising results have been reported after volar locked plating of unstable dorsally displaced distal radius fractures. We investigated whether volar locked plating results in better patient-perceived, objective functional and radiographic outcomes compared to the less invasive external fixation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 63 patients under 70 years of age, with an unstable extra-articular or non-comminuted intra-articular dorsally displaced distal radius fracture, were randomized to volar locked plating (n = 33) or bridging external fixation. Patient-perceived outcome was assessed with the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaire. RESULTS: At 3 and 6 months, the volar plate group had better DASH and PRWE scores but at 12 months the scores were similar. Objective function, measured as grip strength and range of movement, was superior in the volar plate group but the differences diminished and were small at 12 months. Axial length and volar tilt were retained slightly better in the volar plate group. INTERPRETATION: Volar plate fixation is more advantageous than external fixation, in the early rehabilitation period.

Patient-perceived outcome after displaced distal radius fractures. A comparison between radiological parameters, objective physical variables, and the DASH score.

Outcome after distal radius fractures has traditionally been measured by radiological parameters and objective physical variables. To what extent these measurements reflect outcome as perceived by the patient has been questioned. We evaluated the association between radiological position, objective physical result (grip strength and range of movement), and the patient-perceived outcome, measured with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand outcome (DASH) score, in 78 patients with a healed unilateral distal radius fracture treated with either closed reduction and plaster splint or external fixation. Fifty-seven females and 21 males (median age 59 yr; range, 22-95) were retrospectively assessed after a mean of 22 months and the mean DASH score was 13 points. Linear correlations between final radiological and objective physical measurements and DASH score were weak or insignificant. However, radial shortening > or = 2mm, dorsal angulation >15 degrees, and radial angulation >10 degrees were each significantly associated with a poorer DASH score. Reduced grip strength, extension, and ulnar deviation correlated with a poorer DASH score. In conclusion, we found that better final radiological and objective physical results were associated with a better patient-perceived outcome, as measured by the DASH score, in this patient group.