Radiographic Assessment of Distal Radius Fracture Treatment Outcomes Following Various Types of Fracture Stabilization in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Background: Distal radius fractures pose a serious problem due to their high incidence and can be treated with various methods. No specific distal radius fracture treatment is acknowledged to be the gold standard by orthopedic surgeons. The aim of study was to conduct a comprehensive radiographic assessment of treatment outcomes in patients with distal radius fractures following various types of stabilization in elderly patients. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 122patients who underwent treatment for distal radial fracture in the years 2017and2018.There were three study groups: closed reduction with K-wire fixation (37patients),open reduction with volar plate fixation (42 patients),and closed reduction with cast immobilization (43patients).The mean age at the beginning of treatment was 73years.The mean follow-up period was 2 years and 7months.The following radiological parameters were evaluated: union rate, time to union, time of fracture immobilization, fracture stabilization failure, and the development of adjacent-joint arthritis. Results: There were no significant differences between the study groups in terms of union rate, time to union, and the development of adjacent-joint arthritis. After treatment, the lowest rates of posttraumatic intercarpal and carpometacarpal arthritis and the lowest rates of fracture stabilization failure in our study were observed in the plaster-cast group. Volar plate fixation was associated with the shortest duration of fracture stabilization. In comparison to the status from before treatment, all study groups showed increased rates of intercarpal and carpometacarpal arthritis after treatment. Conclusions: Our radiographic assessments demonstrated similar outcomes, regardless of the stabilization method. In treating distal radius fractures, we achieved good radiographic treatment outcomes irrespective of the fracture stabilization method used.