Lack of Agreement on Distal Radius Fracture Treatment

Variation in clinical practice resulting from the absence of evidence-based treatment protocols has negative implications on both the cost and the quality of medical care. The objective of this study was to assess whether a standard of care for the treatment of extra-articular nondisplaced distal radius fracture has developed despite the lack of a conclusive recommendation from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

A case-vignette survey was conducted. Treatment type and duration of casting selections were analyzed. The cost implications of responses were assessed. Participants were practicing orthopedists primarily in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Orthopedists (n = 494) were recruited via E-mail and at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting held in Chicago in March 2013. Inclusion criteria required that participants be graduates of an accredited medical school and be practicing orthopedists at the time of survey distribution. The main outcome measure was surgical or nonsurgical intervention.

Nonsurgical treatment was selected by 60% of respondents, with surgery preferred by 37%. Duration of casting responses varied from 2 to 12 weeks. Among nonsurgical responses, 69% indicated 6 weeks as their preferred duration of casting (95% confidence interval, 64.9-73.1%). Surgery imposes a 76% greater total cost to society than nonsurgical treatments.

Our findings suggest the absence of a consensus strategy for the treatment of extra-articular nondisplaced distal radius fractures. Implications of variance in treatment on cost and quality support the need for established, evidence-based guidelines or further clinical trials to assist in the management of this common fracture.