Comparison of Distal Radius Fractures with or without Scaphoid Fractures

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Distal radius fracture is one of the most common factures, but incidence of concomitant scaphoid fracture is rare. The rarity makes diagnosing the concomitant scaphoid fracture often delayed. Thus, in this study, the authors examined the frequency of concomitant scaphoid injury in distal radius fracture and the type of distal radius fracture that is more commonly associated with simultaneous scaphoid fracture. METHODS: We examined a total of 212 patients who had received treatment for the fracture in our institution. They were divided into two groups, isolated distal radius fracture group and distal radius fracture group with simultaneous scaphoid fracture, and their age, gender, body mass index and distal radius fracture type in accordance with AO classification were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Concomitant scaphoid fractures were found in 12 (5%) patients, and among them 10 cases were associated with type C distal radius fracture. Statistical comparison between the group with isolated distal radius fracture and the group with both distal radius and scaphoid fractures was made, and only comparison of distal radius fracture types showed statistical significance. CONCLUSION: It is imperative to make timely and appropriate diagnosis of accompanying scaphoid fracture, since delay in making the diagnosis usually lead to many complications. We conclude that further diagnostic imaging such as computed tomography is necessary to make the correct diagnosis of concomitant scaphoid fracture, especially in type C distal radius fractures.