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[Fractures of the distal radius. Part 1: statistical evaluation of the patient group]
1Ortopedicko-traumatologická klinika 3. LF UK a FNKV, Praha. pacovsky@fnkv.cz
Purpose Of The Study:
Distal radial fracture is one of the most frequent skeletal injuries in the human population. Probably because of this common occurrence, it has long been underestimated and treated as a trivial injury, with the resulting 40% poor outcome. The aim of this study was to analyze relevant characteristics, fracture types and subsequent treatment in patients with distal radial fractures in a one-year follow-up, and to suggest procedures for achieving the best functional results.
Material:
A total of 383 patients older than 15 years were treated in our department in 1998. The evaluation of treatment outcomes was based on a special questionnaire and the results of a standard system of check-ups.
Methods:
In each patient, the basic characteristics (age, gender, mechanism of injury, period between injury and treatment, etc.), type of fracture and kind of treatment were recorded. The fractures were distributed to groups according to the Fernandez and AO classifications and compared according to selected criteria.
Results:
Our group consisted of 103 men and 280 women; the mean age was 61.2 years and range 15 to 97 years. The highest incidence of fractures was recorded in women after menopause; 90% of all patients were women older than 60 years. It was possible to determine the type of fracture in 326 patients who had complete radiographic data.
Discussion:
The results of this study confirmed the foreign literature data. Distal radial fractures are the most common skeletal injuries and affect women, particularly those between 50 and 80 years, three-times more frequently than men. Osteoporosis after menopause is the main factor involved. In men, on the other hand, the highest number of fractures was found in younger age categories.
Conclusions:
The evaluation of our patient group gave results comparable with those reported in the literature. It showed that distal radial fractures, in conjunction with fractures of the proximal humerus and the proximal femur, are the most frequent fractures particularly in elder women. Their treatment, therefore, involves both medical and social aspects. The analysis of treatment of distal radial fractures is under progress and the results will be published as Part II of our study.