Background/Goal: Distal radius fractures are the most common fractures in human beings. Distal radius fractures can be accompanied with severe concomitant lesions. Even though the technology of imaging is improving, wrist arthroscopy is still the gold standard for detecting injuries in the wrist (Michelotti et al., 2017). It is still unclear, if an additional wrist arthroscopy can improve the outcome of patients with distal radius fractures. This study about the outcome of distal radius fractures aims to evaluate the risks and benefits of an additional wrist arthroscopy in the therapy of distal radius fractures.
Patients and Methods: All patients with a distal radius fracture that underwent wrist arthroscopy at Klinikum rechts der Isar (Munich) between the 1st of June 2012 until the 16th of April 2015 were included. All in all 72 wrists of 71 patients were included. 55 patients with 56 affected wrists were evaluated with the aid of the Munich Wrist Questionnaire (MWQ). The MWQ asks questions regarding the current pain status, limitations at work or in daily routines, the range of motion as well as the grip strength (Beirer et al., 2016). Additionally to that, 39 of those patients were examined. For this purpose the range of motion as well as the grip strength were examined.
Results: 72 % of type-C-fractures showed concomitant lesions. 43 % of patients suffered under a isolated TFCC-lesion, 13 % of patients suffered under a isolated SL-ligament-lesion and 11 % of a combined TFCC- and SL-ligament-lesion. The younger patient group (age 18 – 65 years) showed significant better results in the MWQ compared to those of the older patient group (age 66 – 76 years). Patients with or without concomitant lesions had comparable results in the MWQ. The younger and older patient groups showed no difference in the clinical examination, consisting of range of motion and grip strength. Additionally, patients with or without concomitant lesions showed no difference in the clinical examination.
Conclusion: In 69 % of intraarticular distal radius fractures exists a concomitant lesion. If those are detected and arthroscopically treated, then the outcome of those patients is similar to the outcome of patients without concomitant lesions. Because of this arthroscopy is in those cases indicated.
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Background/Goal: Distal radius fractures are the most common fractures in human beings. Distal radius fractures can be accompanied with severe concomitant lesions. Even though the technology of imaging is improving, wrist arthroscopy is still the gold standard for detecting injuries in the wrist (Michelotti et al., 2017). It is still unclear, if an additional wrist arthroscopy can improve the outcome of patients with distal radius fractures. This study about the outcome of distal radius fracture...
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