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. 2020 Aug 11;15(1):313.
doi: 10.1186/s13018-020-01857-6.

Radiocarpal joint stiffness following surgical treatment for distal radius fractures: the incidence and associated factors

Lingde Kong  1 , Yajie Zhai  1 , Zuzhuo Zhang  2 , Jian Lu  1 , Bing Zhang  1 , Dehu Tian  3
Affiliations

Radiocarpal joint stiffness following surgical treatment for distal radius fractures: the incidence and associated factors

Lingde Kong et al. J Orthop Surg Res. .

Abstract

Background: Postoperative radiocarpal joint stiffness (RJS) is common in patients with distal radius fractures (DRFs). The purpose of this study was to record the incidence of RJS and to determine potential risk factors that may be associated with it.

Methods: We retrospectively included a series of patients who suffered from DRFs and underwent volar plate fixation. Patients' basic data, radiographic data, and postoperative data were collected. The incidence of RJS during follow-up was recorded, and both univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with it.

Results: A total of 119 patients were included in this study. After surgical procedures, there were 42 (35.3%) patients with RJS and 77 (64.7%) patients without. The incidence of RJS after surgical treatment is 35.3%. Multivariate analysis showed that intra-articular fracture (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.13-1.81), pre-operative severe swelling (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.05-1.74), post-operative unsatisfied volar tile (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01-1.89), and improper rehabilitation exercise (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.18-2.51) were correlated with the incidence of RJS during follow-up.

Conclusions: Patients with intra-articular fracture, pre-operative severe swelling, post-operative unsatisfied volar tile, and improper rehabilitation exercise were factors associated with the incidence of wrist stiffness. Preoperative risk notification and postoperative precautions are necessary for relevant patients.

Keywords: Distal radius; Prevalence; Prognosis; Stiffness; Wrist.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or other conflicts of interest in relation to this research..

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Postoperative x-ray film showing the measurement of radiographic parameters. a Volar tilt was the angle between the line along the distal radial articular surface and the line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the radius at the joint margin. b Radial inclination was the angle formed between the long axis of the radius and a line drawn from the distal tip of the radial styloid to the ulnar corner of the lunate fossa. c We identified the long axis of the radius and drew a line perpendicular to this, extending through the ulnar-most corner of the lunate fossa. Ulnar variance was the distance between this line, and the distal-most point of the ulnar dome was recorded as the ulnar variance
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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