Simultaneous ipsilateral fractures of distal and proximal ends of the radius.
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ABSTRACT: We treated a patient with a rare combination of ipsilateral fractures of the distal and proximal ends of the radius. A man aged 42 years had simultaneous fractures of the distal and proximal ends of the radius (radial neck) following a roadside accident. The distal end fracture of the radius was treated with surgical reduction and T-plate volar fixation, and the undisplaced radial neck fracture was treated by an above elbow splintage for 2 weeks. The elbow mobilization was started at 2 weeks. The distal radius was protected for another 4 weeks in a below elbow functional brace. Ipsilateral proximal and distal radial fracture is an uncommon injury pattern. The series illustrates a number of problems associated with this combination. Firstly, one should be aware of this rare injury pattern and there should be greater emphasis on clinical examination of elbow in cases of wrist injuries and vice versa. Once diagnosed, one faces the dilemma of appropriate management in these cases. The appropriate management will depend on the injury characteristics including the age of the patient and the fracture pattern. One should try to preserve the radial head to prevent a possible proximal radial migration especially in younger patients.
Project description:Simultaneous ipsilateral fractures involving radial head and distal end of radius are uncommon. We present our thoughts on which fracture should be addressed first. A 68-year-old lady sustained an ipsilateral fracture of the right radial head and distal end of radius following a fall. Clinically her right elbow was posteriorly dislocated and right wrist was deformed. Plain radiographs showed an intraarticular fracture of the distal end of radius and a comminution radial head fracture with a proximally migrated radius. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no significant ligament injuries. We addressed her distal radius first with an anatomical locking plate followed by her radial head with a radial head replacement. Our rationale to treat the distal end radius: first was to obtain a correct alignment of Lister's tubercle and correct the distal radius height. Lister's tubercle was used to guide for the correct rotation of the radial head prosthesis. Correcting the distal end fracture radial height helped us with length selection of the radial head prosthesis and address the proximally migrated radial shaft and neck. Postoperative radiographs showed an acceptable reduction. The Cooney score was 75 at 3 months postoperatively, which was equivalent to a fair functional outcome.
Project description:Background and purpose - The reliability of conventional radiography when classifying distal radius fractures (DRF) is fair to moderate. We investigated whether reliability increases when additional computed tomography scans (CT) are used. Patients and methods - In this prospective study, we performed pre- and postreduction posterior-anterior and lateral radiographs of 51 patients presenting with a displaced DRF. The case was included when there was a (questionable) indication for surgical treatment and an additional CT was conducted within 5 days. 4 observers assessed the cases using the Frykman, Fernández, Universal, and AO classification systems. The first 2 assessments were performed using conventional radiography alone; the following 2 assessments were performed with an additional CT. We used the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to evaluate reliability. The CT was used as a reference standard to determine the accuracy. Results - The intraobserver ICC for conventional radiography alone versus radiography and an additional CT was: Frykman 0.57 vs. 0.51; Fernández 0.53 vs. 0.66; Universal 0.57 vs. 0.64; AO 0.59 vs. 0.71. The interobserver ICC was: Frykman: 0.45 vs. 0.28; Fernández: 0.38 vs. 0.44; Universal: 0.32 vs. 0.43; AO: 0.46 vs. 0.40. Interpretation - The intraobserver reliability of the classification systems was fair but improved when an additional CT was used, except for the Frykman classification. The interobserver reliability ranged from poor to fair and did not improve when using an additional CT. Additional CT scanning has implications for the accuracy of scoring the fracture types, especially for simple fracture types.
Project description:Purpose We evaluated the feasibility of a juxta-articular-type volar distal radius plate for the surgical treatment of marginal distal radius fractures. Materials and methods Twenty marginal distal radius fractures, defined by the location of the fracture line within 10 mm of the joint line of the lunate fossa, were retrospectively reviewed between July 2020 and July 2022. The fractures were fixed using a juxta-articular-type volar plate (ARIX Wrist System). The characteristics of the implant and surgical technique, radiologic, and clinical outcomes, and related complications were evaluated. Results Bony union was achieved in all patients within six months. Acceptable radiological alignment was achieved with no significant differences between the fractured and the normal sides. The clinical outcomes were favorable, with satisfactory functional outcomes. There was one case of post-traumatic arthritis and two cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. No implant-related complications including flexor tendon problems were observed. Conclusion The juxta-articular distal radius plate of the Arix Wrist system is feasible for treating marginal distal radius fractures and achieves favorable clinical outcomes without implant-related complications in East Asian patients.
Project description:This study aimed to describe the intraosseous blood supply of the distal radius and its clinical implications in distal radius fractures. Twelve adult wrists from fresh cadavers (six males, six females, 50-90 years of age, mean 68 years) were injected through the brachial artery with latex. Dissections were performed using magnifying loupes and hands were processed using the Spalteholz technique. The distal radius was supplied by three main vascular systems: epiphyseal, metaphyseal, and diaphyseal. The palmar epiphyseal vessels branched from the radial artery, palmar carpal arch, and anterior branch of the anterior interosseous artery. These vessels entered the bone through the radial styloid process at level of the Lister's tubercle but palmar and sigmoid notch. The dorsal contribution to Lister's tubercle is to the dorsal epiphyseal vessels. The intraosseous point of entry to the dorsal epiphyseal vessels was from the fourth and fifth extensor compartment arteries. In the metaphyseal area, we found numerous periosteal and cortical branches originating deep in the pronator quadratus and the anterior interosseous artery. These branches provided the main supply to the distal radius. Vessels perforated the bone and formed an anastomotic network. In the diaphyseal area, only the nutrient vessel provided intraosseous vascularity in the distal radius. Numerous metaphyseal-epiphyseal branches arise within the pronator quadratus and the anterior interosseous artery and course towards the distal radius. These branches may be fundamental to the healing of the distal radius fractures and make nonunion a rare complication.
Project description:This study aimed to evaluate the risk of dementia after distal radius, hip, and spine fractures.Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort were collected for the population ≥ 60 years of age from 2002 to 2013. A total of 10,387 individuals with dementia were matched for age, sex, income, region of residence, and history of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia with 41,548 individuals comprising the control group. Previous histories of distal radius, hip, and spine fractures were evaluated in both the dementia and control groups. Using ICD-10 codes, dementia (G30 and F00) and distal radius (S525), hip (S720, S721, and S722), and spine (S220 and S320) fractures were investigated. The crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of dementia in distal radius, hip, and spine fracture patients were analyzed using conditional logistic regression analyses. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, sex and region of residence.The adjusted ORs for dementia were higher in the distal radius, hip, and spine fracture group than in the non-fracture group (adjusted OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.10 -1.37, P < .001 for distal radius fracture; adjusted OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.48 - 1.83, P < .001 for hip fracture; adjusted OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.22 - 1.41, P < .001 for spine fracture). The results in subgroup analyses according to age, sex and region of residence were consistent.Distal radius, hip, and spine fractures increase the risk of dementia.
Project description:Objectives A lack of conclusive evidence on the treatment of acute median neuropathy (AMN) in patients with distal radius fractures has led to inconsistent surgical guidelines and recommendations regarding AMN in distal radius fractures. There is a wide variation in surgical decision-making. We aimed to evaluate international differences between surgical considerations and practices related to carpal tunnel release (CTR) in the setting of distal radius fractures. Methods We approached surgeons who were a member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (United States) or of the Dutch Trauma Society (the Netherlands) and asked them to provide sociodemographic information and information on their surgical practice regarding CTR in the setting of distal radius fractures. After applying our exclusion criteria, our final cohort consisted of 127 respondents. Results Compared with Dutch surgeons, surgeons from the United States are more of the opinion that displaced distal radius fractures are at risk of developing acute carpal tunnel syndrome (ACTS), consider persistent paresthesia in the median nerve distribution after closed reduction to be a surgical emergency less often, and are more likely to perform a CTR if there are signs of ACTS in the setting of a distal radius fracture. Conclusion A lack of conclusive evidence has led to international differences in surgical practice regarding the treatment of ACTS in the setting of distal radius fractures. Future research should guide surgeons in making appropriate evidence-based decisions when performing CTR in the setting of distal radius fractures. Level of Evidence This is a Level V study.
Project description:Background: Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are the most common upper extremity fractures in adults. This study seeks to elucidate the impact age, fracture type, and patient comorbidities have on the current treatment of DRFs and risk of complications. We hypothesized that comorbidities rather than age would relate to the risk of complications in the treatment of DRFs. Methods: A retrospective review of data was performed for patients treated between 2007 and 2014 using Truven Health MarketScan Research Databases. Patients who sustained a DRF were separated into "closed" versus "open" treatment groups, and the association between patient demographics, treatment type, and comorbidities with complication rates was analyzed, along with the trend of treatment modalities throughout the study time interval. Results: In total, 155 353 DRFs were identified; closed treatment predominated in all age groups with the highest percentage of open treatment occurring in the 50- to 59-year age group. Between 2007 and 2014, there was an increase in the rate of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in all age groups <90 with the largest increase (11%) occurring in the 70- to 79-year age group. Higher complication rates were observed in the open treatment group in all ages <90 years with a trend toward decreasing complication rates as age increased. Comorbidities were more strongly associated with the risk of developing complications than age. Conclusions: Closed treatment of DRFs remains the predominant treatment method among all age groups, but DRFs are increasingly being treated with ORIF. Emphasis on the patients' comorbidities rather than chronological age should be considered in the treatment decision-making process of elderly patients with DRFs.
Project description:BackgroundThis retrospective study included an alternative treatment for types A2, A3, and B1 distal radius fractures using percutaneous fixation with a cemented K-wire frame.MethodsFrom January 2017 to January 2020, 78 patients with distal radius fractures were treated with percutaneous internal fixation using a cemented K-wire frame. There were 47 male patients and 31 female patients. The fractures were classified into types A2 (n = 10), A3 (n = 46), and B1 (n = 22). X-rays were taken immediately after surgery and after the bone had healed. Wrist function was assessed using the Mayo Wrist Score (90-100, excellent; 80-90, good; 60-80, satisfactory; < 60, poor). Patient satisfaction was assessed using the 10-cm visual analog scale.ResultsNeither fixation failure nor K-wire migration was found (P > 0.05). Osteomyelitis was not observed in this series. All patients achieved bone healing after a mean of 4.5 weeks (range, 4 to 8 weeks). Follow-up lasted a mean of 27 months (range, 24 to 33 months). The mean score of wrist function was 97 (range, 91 to 100). Among them, 66 results were excellent and 12 results were good. The mean patient satisfaction was 10 cm (range, 8 to 10 cm).ConclusionsPercutaneous fixation with cemented K-wire frame is a safe and preferred choice for the treatment of types A2, A3, and B1 distal radius fractures. The frame provides support to prevent wire migration. The fixation technique is a minimally invasive procedure that is easy to perform.Level of evidenceTherapeutic study, Level IVa.
Project description:Background We evaluated the detection for screw penetration on the dorsal cortex of the radius in serial oblique, dorsal tangential, and radial groove radiographic views in volar plating fixation. Materials and Methods Eight screw positions were set in each of the four cadaveric radii. Screw 1 was placed in the styloid subregion, whereas screws 2 and 3 were placed just proximal to the styloid and were defined for the radial region of the radius. Screws 4 (distal to the extensor pollicis longus [EPL] groove), 5 (the distal half of the groove), and 6 (the proximal half of the groove) were placed in the central region of the radius. Screws 7 (just medial to the groove) and 8 (sigmoid notch subregion) were positioned in the ulnar region of the radius. The screws were overlengthened by 1 and 2 mm and were evaluated in three radiographic views. Results Penetrations in the radial region were fully visible in supinated oblique views with 1- and 2-mm overlengthened screws. The penetration of screw 4 was clearly observable over a considerable range of views. However, the 1-mm penetration of screw 5 was not detectable at any angle of projection. Detection of the ulnar region screw was the most difficult among the three regions with oblique views. In the dorsal tangential view, the 1-mm penetration of screw 4 was not observed in any of the four radii, but the penetration of screw 5 was detectable in all the radii. The screws 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 were readily detectable. The screw 4 was barely seen in the radial groove view, while the screws 5 and 6 were readily detectable. Conclusion/Clinical Relevance Appropriate combinations of these well-known radiological views are essential for the overall detection of penetrated screws during plating in distal radius fractures.
Project description:Background Unstable distal ulna fractures in the setting of distal radius fractures can present a challenging problem, especially in the elderly population. Operative fixation of the subcapital distal ulna fracture may help to provide a stable ulnar buttress for attempting to reduce the distal radius fracture. Traditional fixation techniques of the distal ulna may prove unsatisfactory in the setting of osteoporosis and comminution. Description The intrafocal pin plate is placed through a small incision distally and uses the curve of the plate to obtain multiple points of fixation within the intramedullary canal. The overhang of the distal aspect of the plate helps to reduce the fracture. The plate is secured using unicortical locking screws in the ulnar head. Patients and Methods The most ideal fracture pattern for this fixation technique is a subcapital distal ulna fracture that is unstable and associated with a distal radius fracture. This technique is contraindicated in ulnar head fractures, segmental fractures with proximal extension, and open fractures with gross contamination as well as in the setting of active infection. Results This technique has provided a stable ulnar buttress and aided in the reduction of grossly unstable distal radius fractures. All of these patients have gone on to union, and we have not experienced a need for plate removal due to pain or soft tissue irritation. Conclusions We have found the intrafocal pin plate to provide both a stable ulnar buttress as well as intramedullary fixation to aid in the fixation of distal radius fractures associated with unstable distal ulna subcapital fractures.