A Retrospective Study of Distal Radius Fractures Treated by Conservative Method

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Undisplaced and minimally displaced fractures of the distal radius are one of the most common injuries. The conservative management of these fractures with closed manipulative reduction and Plaster of Paris casting and assessment of the functional results and complications is the aim of this study. MATERIALS & METHODS:One hundred cases of distal radius fractures in patients aged above 40 years who attended the orthopaedic OPD at King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam from September 2010 to August 2012 were studied retrospectively for a period of 2 years. Only extra articular distal radius fractures treated by closed manipulation and pop cast immobilization were included in this study. POP cast was removed at 6 weeks and patients were sent for rehabilitation to physiotherapy department. All Patients were functionally assessed at regular intervals for a period of 3 months. RESULTS: Functional evaluation was done based on Demerit point system of Gartland & Werley with Sarmiento et al modification. 12% of the patients had excellent outcome, 39% good results, 41% had fair outcome and 8% poor results. CONCLUSION: Better results were achieved in undisplaced and minimally displaced fractures treated conservatively by closed manipulative reduction and cast immobilization. However as the degree of displacement increases the results obtained were poor. Gross displacement and communition were associated with poor results even though accurate reduction was obtained during manipulation. Hence it may be concluded that conservative management still holds good for undisplaced and minimally displaced fractures, however in fractures of distal radius with significant displacement and comminution especially if the quality of bone is not good, it is difficult to obtain good functional outcome through conservative management alone. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE