Author:
SAGERFORS Marcus,JAKOBSSON Hugo,WRETENBERG Per,BRUS Ole,MÖLLER Michael
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiology, treatment, and patient-reported outcome of AO/OTA type C distal radius fractures (DRF) using data from a large national fracture register. We used prospectively collected data from the Swedish Fracture Register covering all AO/OTA type C DRFs registered between April 2012 and December 2018. Data on fracture type, epidemiology, trauma-mechanism, and treatment had been recorded by the treating physician. Patients had been sent an outcome questionnaire including EQ-VAS, EQ-5D, and the SMFA at the time of injury and 12 months after. A total of 12 199 cases with AO/OTA type C fracture were identified. AO/OTA type C1 fracture was most common, with 5400 cases, followed by AO type C2 with 4304 and AO/OTA type C3 with 2495. Cast treatment and surgical treatment with volar locking plate fixation were the most common treatments. Patient-reported outcome measures worsened significantly one year after the fracture, and 56% reported moderate problems with pain and discomfort one year after the fracture. Patients treated with a volar plate reported a significantly larger deterioration in EQ-5D outcome compared to patients treated with a cast. No treatment method was found to be superior. A good outcome after a type C fracture is possible, but many patients do not recover completely. Our findings indicate a relatively better self-reported outcome for patients treated with a cast, but as treatment was not randomized the clinical relevance is unclear.
Subject
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine,General Medicine,Surgery
Reference39 articles.
1. Court-Brown CM, Caesar B. Epidemiology of adult fractures: A review. Injury. 2006;37(8):691-697.
2. Mellstrand-Navarro C, Pettersson HJ, Tornqvist H, Ponzer S. The operative treatment of fractures of the distal radius is increasing: results from a nationwide Swedish study. The bone & joint journal. 2014;96-b(7):963-969.
3. Handoll HH, Madhok R. Surgical interventions for treating distal radial fractures in adults. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2003(3):Cd003209.
4. Orbay JL, Fernandez DL. Volar fixation for dorsally displaced fractures of the distal radius: a preliminary report. J Hand Surg Am. 2002;27(2):205-215.
5. van Schaik DE, Goorens CK, Wernaers P, Hendrickx B, Scheerlinck T, Goubau JF. Evaluation of current treatment techniques for distal radius fractures amongst Belgian orthopaedic surgeons. Acta Orthop Belg. 2015;81(2):321-326.