The incidence of distal forearm fractures in Zaragoza (Spain)

We present the results of a retrospective study of the epidemiology of distal forearm fractures in patients over 15 years of age in Zaragoza (Spain) during 1998-1999. We analysed a total of 2506 fractures of the distal forearm. Fractures were classified according to age, sex, Frykman classification and mechanism of injury. Fractures were Frykman type III in 23.5% of cases, Frykman II in 17.9%, Frykman IV in 14.5% and Frykman I in 12.8%. The rest of fractures were distributed homogeneously between the remaining fracture types. The mechanisms of injury was low energy in 78.2% of cases and high in 21.8%. Analysis of the age distribution showed an increase in the incidence of this type of fracture over 50 years of age, with a peak between 60 and 69 years as a result of accidental falls. We found an increased incidence in males below 49 years of age, as a result of traffic accidents, and a predominance of females over 50 years of age due to osteoporosis and an increased number of falls.