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Features of algodystrophy ten years after Colles' fracture
J Field1, D Warwick, G C Bannister
1University Department of Orthopaedics, Southmead Hospital, Bristol.
Journal of Hand Surgery (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|June 1, 1992
Summary
The long-term outcome of algodystrophy following Colles' fracture remains uncertain, with 26% of patients exhibiting symptoms ten years later. Poor finger function early after fracture predicts later algodystrophy development.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pain Management
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Algodystrophy, also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), is a debilitating condition often following fractures.
- The long-term prognosis and predictors of algodystrophy after Colles' fracture are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term outcomes of algodystrophy in patients ten years after sustaining a Colles' fracture.
- To identify potential early indicators of algodystrophy development.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 55 patients with Colles' fracture was followed for ten years.
- Assessment included clinical evaluation for algodystrophy features and evaluation of finger function at three months post-fracture.
Main Results:
- After ten years, 26% of the studied cases presented with features indicative of algodystrophy.
- A significant correlation was found between poor finger function at three months post-fracture and the subsequent development of algodystrophy components at the ten-year mark.
Conclusions:
- Colles' fracture can lead to long-term algodystrophy in a notable percentage of patients.
- Early assessment of finger function following a Colles' fracture may aid in identifying individuals at higher risk for developing algodystrophy.