[Algodystrophy after distal radius fractures]

Algodystrophy is a severe complication of distal radius fractures; its incidence balances from 0.02% to 37% reported from various papers. In order to ascertain its incidence and clinical picture, the following features in 100 patients 2-4 months after distal radius fracture were examined: pain in the hand, swelling, vasomotor and sudomotor instability, stiffness, trophic changes, shoulder complaints and changes on X-ray picture; the presence and intensity of each feature were noticed. There were 87 female and 13 male patients, aged from 36 to 88 years (average 60.6 years) in the group; 79% of patients complained of pain in affected hand (spontaneous or after loading) and 20% complained of pain and limitation of movement in the shoulder joint. Algodystrophy, diagnosed by the presence of at least 4 strongly expressed features was noted in 14% of patients. The syndrome developed more frequently in women than in men, in patients with displaced and manipulated fractures (particularly with fragmentation of the epiphysis) and in individuals wit poorly reduced fractures. The most specific for algodystrophy features were: deficiency of finger flexion greater than 3 cm, severe spontaneous pain, severe swelling and permanent redness of the hand; the author suggests, that algodystrophy after distal radius fracture is far more common condition than it is generally believed.