Effectiveness of Delayed Surgical Treatment for Distal Radius Fractures With Loss of Reduction.

PURPOSE

This study investigated the effectiveness of volar plate surgery in patients with distal radius fractures (DRFs) initially treated nonsurgically but later experiencing reduction loss during follow-ups. Specifically, it assessed the impact of early surgery (E) (<3 weeks) versus delayed surgery (D) (3-6 weeks) on wrist function in surgically treated DRFs.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 131 patients who underwent surgery after loss of reduction. Among them, 42 patients had delayed surgery, whereas 89 received early surgical treatment. The mean follow-up duration was 18 months. The primary outcome measure was Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores. Secondary outcomes included Short Form-12 physical component summary and mental component summary scores, postoperative range of motion, and radiological measurements such as radial length, radial inclination angle, and volar tilt angle. Fracture types were categorized using Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification based on radiological images.

RESULTS

All 131 DRFs achieved radiological union. Mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores were 8.0 (range, 0-78) and 10.8 (range, 0-73) for groups E and D, respectively, and the difference was not considered clinically relevant. Short Form-12 physical component summary scores (49.4 for E; 45.3 for D) and Short Form-12 mental component summary scores (52.3 for E; 53.5 for D) were similar in the two groups. Radiological measurements and range of motion were similar in the two groups. Complications, including carpal tunnel syndrome, superficial radial nerve neuropraxia, and complex regional pain syndrome, occurred in 12 (13.5%) E group patients and 9 (21.4%) D group patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical and radiological results of early and delayed surgery after loss of reduction in secondary displaced DRF were similar. However, complication rates were higher in delayed surgery.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.