Pain and disability during six months in patients with a distal radius fracture

Evidence of the disability and quality of life after a distal radius fracture reported by the patients themselves is lacking, since previous studies focussed on radiological assessment and objective clinical parameters.

To describe the pain and disability and how they change during 6 months of recovery in patients with distal radius fracture.

This is a prospective randomized study of 42 patients with a distal radius fracture. They were assessed three times: baseline visit (7-10 day), three and six months after injury. At each visit patients completed the PRWE (Patient -rated wrist evaluation) questionnaire with 15 items: 5 - Pain; 6 - Specific activities and 4 - Usual activities subscale.

At baseline patients experience moderate pain (minimal at rest, mild during repeated movement, severe when lifting), there is very severe disability in performing specific and usual activities. After three months the pain diminishes to mild (none at rest, mild when lifting), as well the disability that is mild (professional activity is affected most). Six months after injury there is only minimal pain and functional difficulties. The domains of specific activities remained more impaired at each phase, compared to usual activities (personal care and household work).

The results of this study describe the normal course of recovery after a distal radius fracture. Three months after the injury significant improvement is expected, and after six months there should be only minimal disability. Atypical recovery may suggest the appearance of a complication or a need to change the treatment protocol.