Distal Radius Fractures with Concomitant Elbow Lesions. A Prospective Analysis

Abstract

Background Nowadays it is increasingly common politrauma with elbow injuries (IEI) and ipsilateral distal radius fractures (DRFs), about 17.5% of all adults' fractures (1), and the ideal method and the best time to treat are discussed in high-energy injuries (2) can have a strong social impact.

Objectives to compare the grip strength, patient-reported and radiographic outcomes in patients with ipsilateral unstable elbow injuries DRFs with or without longitudinal forearm instability treated in the same timed

Methods 231 patients with DRFs, were treated during the period between February 2018 to July 2021 and 18 patients were included. The Follow-up period was 12 months and 12 men and 6 women. Patients were divided into two groups: DRFs associated IEI with (Group 1 - 6 patients) or without Longitudinal radioulnar dissociation Group 2 - (12 patients). Clinical and functional outcomes and radiographic characteristics were evaluated at 12 months

Results At 12 months, was observed with respect to grip strength, all patients showed results in the third or fourth quartiles. The mean and the mean DASH scores were 3.8 and the VAS scores were 1.5. Eleven patients required a secondary procedure 61% (11/18) with remove elbow ex fix (5/18), spanning plate (2/18), change radial head ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) to arthroplasty (1/18). Initial fracture reduction or joint stable was maintained in 94.4% (17/18) patients.

Conclusions There is a linear relationship between wrist and elbow injuries and outcomes, with or without longitudinal radio ulnar dissociation. Both proved predicted the restoration of the ability of patients to perform activities of daily living independently. We recommend that combined injuries should be managed at the same time and internal fixation is recommended to definitive treatment of DRFs/IEIs wherever possible and improves Patient-reported and radiographic outcomes.

Keywords

Dislocation - Distal radius - Elbow - Fracture - Wrist - Multiple fracture - Interosseous membrane reconstruction

Ethical Approval

The research here presented was approved by and was in accordance with the ethical standards of the Faculdade de Medicina do ABC Ethics Committee on human experimentation by No 509173159.0000.5484

Informed Consent

An informed consent document was provided to all research participants, who read and signed it according to their will.

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 21. Juli 2022

Angenommen: 07. März 2023

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
07. Juni 2023

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