Hand function, experienced pain, and disability after distal radius fracture.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Musculoskeletal research
• Rehabilitation science

Background:

• Distal radius fractures are common injuries.
• Plate fixation is a standard surgical treatment.
• Understanding long-term functional outcomes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in range of motion (ROM), grip strength, and pain over time after distal radius fracture plate fixation.
• To assess patient-reported disability using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, repeated-measures study with 101 patients.
• Measurements taken at four time points post-surgery.
• Assessed ROM, grip strength, pain (Global Assessment Scale), and disability (DASH, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure).

Main Results:

• Range of motion and grip strength showed significant improvement over time.
• Pain improved up to 6 months but worsened between 6 and 24 months.
• Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores improved by 6 months and remained stable thereafter.

Conclusions:

• While ROM and grip strength largely recover by 12 months, persistent pain remains a significant issue at 24 months post-surgery.
• Long-term pain management strategies may be necessary for patients undergoing distal radius fracture fixation.