The outcome of distal radius fractures with concomitant injuries is similar to those of isolated distal radius fractures provided that an arthroscopically supported treatment is performed

Francesca Von Matthey, Karola Schmid, Michael Zyskowski, Stephan Deiler, Peter Biberthaler, Helen Vester

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Concomitant injuries of distal radius fractures (DRF) can have a fatal impact on the patients’ outcome. However, wrist arthroscopy is a costly and complex procedure. It remains elusive whether patients benefit from an additional arthroscopy. Methods: Patients with a DRF who were treated arthroscopically were enrolled. Fifty-six wrists were evaluated regarding their function by self-assessment with the Munich Wrist Questionnaire (MWQ). Thirty-nine patients were examined for postoperative strength and motion. Concomitant injuries were detected. Results: A total of 75% of the DRF were type C injuries (AO classification). Twenty-four cases (43%) were triangular fibrocartilaginous complex (TFCC) lesion, eight cases (14%) of scapholunate ligament (SL) injuries and seven cases (12%) were a combination of TFCC and SL ligament lesion. No difference in function could be detected between DRF with surgically addressed concomitant lesions and isolated DRF. Dorsalextension, palmarflexion and grip strength were significantly reduced in patients with DRF and concomitant injuries compared to the healthy wrist. However, patients with DRF and arthroscopically treated concomitant injuries had similar results to those suffering only from an isolated DRF. Conclusion: The increased occurrence of concomitant injuries is to be expected in intraarticular DRF. Patients with concomitant injuries benefit from an arthroscopically assisted fracture treatment and show similar results compared to isolated DRF.

Original languageEnglish
Article number974
JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine
Volume9
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Distal radius fracture
  • Scapholunate ligament rupture
  • TFCC lesion
  • Wrist arthroscopy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The outcome of distal radius fractures with concomitant injuries is similar to those of isolated distal radius fractures provided that an arthroscopically supported treatment is performed'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this