Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures in Elderly Patients

Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures in Elderly Patients, a Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to create and test a treatment algorithm to guide the treatment of distal radius fractures in patients 65 and older and to obtain level-one evidence to determine the best method of treating distal radius fractures in this growing population demographic.

• Distal radius fractures with borderline alignment will be randomized to surgical intervention or conservative treatment.
• Patients will fill out subjective questionnaires at 0, 6weeks, 3months, 6 months, and 1 year.
• Patients will perform objective strength tests, dexterity tests and have their range of motion tested at 12 weeks, 6 months and 12 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Distal Radius Fracture
• Between 10 and 20 degrees of dorsal angulation
• Between 3 and 5mm of Ulnar positive variance
• Between 1 and 2mm intra Articular Step deformity
• Age 65 and older

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre-Morbid medical conditions which preclude surgical intervention
• Patients who do not live independently.
• Patients with an open fracture
• Associated soft tissue or skeletal injury to the same limb.
• Pre-existing wrist arthrosis or disability