Radiological vs Clinical Outcome in DRF

Association Between Radiographic and Clinical Outcome in Distal Radius Fractures: A Prospective Cohort Study With a 1-year Follow-up in 368 Patients

Background: Several studies have investigated the degree of final displacement and its association with clinical outcome. There is still no consensus on the importance of radiological outcome and published studies do not use the same criteria for an acceptable alignment. Previous reports have used a linear or a dichotomized exposure in the statistical analysis, but no study has investigated a nonlinear association.

Methods: We included 438 patients treated for a distal radius fracture (DRF) with either reduction and cast immobilization or surgery. Radiographic outcomes were determined by radiographs 3 months after the injury. Clinical outcome was determined by QuickDASH (qDASH), ROM and grip strength at 1-year after the injury. Nonlinear correlations were analysed with cubic splines.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients with distal radius fracture between 15 and 74 years, with closed physes of the distal radius and ulna.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Dementia
• Previous fracture to the ipsilateral wrist
• Open fracture
• Other concomitant or existing damage or injury to the wrist
• Galeazzi fracture
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Neurologic impairment