[Translated article] Treatment of dorsal radiocarpal fracture dislocation: Clinical and radiological long-term...

MAIN: To describe our experience treating dorsal radiocarpal fracture dislocations, regarding long-term clinical and radiological outcomes.

Retrospective chart review of 15 patients treated in our institution from 2007 to 2021. Inclusion criteria were patients over 16 years, treated at a third level hospital of Madrid and an average follow-up of 56 months. Epidemiological data were collected from digital records. VAS, QuickDASH and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) scales were employed for clinical results assessment. All radiological studies were reviewed for radiological results assessment. A descriptive statistical analysis of all variables was developed.

Among 15 patients with a mean follow-up of 56 months: 12 males (80%) and 3 females (20%) with a mean age of 39.5 years. The left wrist was injured in most cases (66.7%). All patients were treated surgically; 4 of them (27%) were assisted by wrist arthroscopy. Mean VAS at final follow-up was 2.6 with activity. Mean PRWE was 32 and mean QuickDASH was 28, which means satisfactory results. Eighty percent of patients developed wrist stiffness with most affected flexo-extension followed by prono-supination. Sixty-seven percent of patients developed radiological signs of wrist osteoarthritis at the end of follow-up.

In spite of a large number of clinical and radiological complications during follow-up, long-term functional results are good in this kind of wrist injuries.