A Retrospective Study on Management of the Distal End of the Radius Fractures

Introduction: The distal end radius fracture is a common fracture type and represents about one sixth of all skeletal fractures. They commonly occur in young males and older females. In young adults it is more common to see a fracture of the Intra-articular component in distal radius, probably due to high-energy trauma such as road traffic accidents. The patient may come with symptoms of pain and swelling around the wrist, sometimes with deformity around the wrist or tenderness at an area with no obvious deformity.

Objectives: To analyse the various treatment methods and their outcomes.

Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study conducted on the distal end of radius fractures by the orthopedic department of Saveetha Medical College and Hospital in the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. All the patients were examined both clinically and radiologically. Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views of the wrist joint on both sides were obtained at the time of injury presentation. Fractures were classified according to the AO classification and anatomical features like the presence of dorsal tilt, radial shortening and loss of radial inclination are also assessed using the Sarmiento’s modification of Lindstrom Criteria.

Results: Anatomical results evaluated according to Sarmiento’s modification of Lindstrom criteria showed excellent results were more frequent with open reduction and internal fixation techniques but the most frequently used treatment modality is closed reduction and cast immobilisation.

Conclusion: There is no customised treatment for all distal end of radius fractures hence the treatment depends on various factors like the fracture type, characters, patient’s demands and the surgeon’s preference.