Comparative Study of Outcomes between Operative and Non-Operative Treatment of Unstable Distal Radius Fracture in the Elderly Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The goal of this retrospective study is to compare radiologic outcome and clinical outcome between operative and non-operative treatment of unstable distal radius fracture in patients over 65-year-old. METHODS: From December 2006 to December 2011, 114 patients over 65-year-old were enrolled in the present study. 45 patients underwent non-operative treatment, and 69 patients underwent operative treatment. We retrospectively reviewed radiologic results and clinical results and then compared the two groups. Radiologic results include radial inclination (RI), volar tilt angle (VT) and radial shortening (RS) shown on the last radiograph and clinical results including disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores, modified Mayo wrist score (MMWS), and range of motion (ROM) of wrist. RESULTS: All cases presented bone-union. Among the patients who received non-operative treatments, average RI of 15.5degrees, average VT of 14.1degrees, average RS of 5.3 mm, The patients who received operative treatments showed average volar tilt of 3.9degrees, average VT of 18.2degrees, and average RS of 1.1 mm. RS showed a significant difference (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that non-operative treatment is initially recommended in patients over 65 years who have an unstable distal radius fracture in terms of functional results.