Surgical treatment of redisplaced fractures of the distal radius in patients older than 60 years

Abstract

Twenty patients aged 60 years or older (average age, 68 y) presented to our institution with a distal radius fracture made complex by virtue of displacement after a closed reduction and cast or external fixation immobilization. Ten of the fractures were volarly angulated and 10 were dorsally angulated. Fifteen patients' hands had associated soft-tissue swelling. Surgical exposure and stable internal fixation were undertaken to both realign the fracture as well as enable functional rehabilitation. The final functional result and radiographic results were physician rated and patient rated by using the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE). The patients' overall activity level was quantified and compared with population norms by using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). At an average follow-up visit of 38 months, all the fractures healed and none of the implants loosened or broke. The functional results were excellent in 7, good in 11, and fair in 2. The average PRWE score was 14, which compares favorably with prior studies of adult patients of all ages treated for a distal radius fracture. The PASE score averaged 177, representing a return to preoperative activity levels in 17 of 20 patients. Complications included loss of alignment, tendon rupture, transient radial sensory neuritis, and nonfatal pulmonary embolism in 1 patient each. Six plates were removed because of soft-tissue irritation.