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

TY - JOUR

T1 - 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

AU - Thorninger, Rikke

AU - Wæver, Daniel

AU - Pedersen, Jonas

AU - Tvedegaard-Christensen, Jens

AU - Tjørnild, Michael Kjeldager

AU - Lind, Martin

AU - Rölfing, Jan Hendrik Duedal

PY - 2021/5/1

Y1 - 2021/5/1

N2 - 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 indi-cated. 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.

AB - 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 indi-cated. 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.

KW - Aging

KW - Com-plications

KW - Conservative treatment

KW - Distal radius fracture

KW - Fracture

KW - NRS

KW - Non-operative treatment

KW - Osteoporosis

KW - PRWHE

KW - Patient-reported outcome measures

KW - Quick-DASH

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85114081748&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3390/jcm10091831

DO - 10.3390/jcm10091831

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33922371

SN - 2077-0383

VL - 10

JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine

JF - Journal of Clinical Medicine

IS - 9

M1 - 1831

ER -