Result of Conservative Treatment of Fractures of the Distal Radius

'Objectives : Distal radius fractures are seen very frequently. Almost all of them are treated with closed reduction + cast application. 75-80% of fractures are extraarticular. Methods: 81 distal radius fractures were treated conservatively in our clinic between april 2001 and april 2002. The average age of patients was 51.1(20- 82) and 22 of the patients were male (27%), 59 were female (73%). The average follow up period was 12.1 months (8-18). All of the fractures were classified according to AO and Frykman classification systems. 48.2% of fractures were A2 and A3 group according to AO classification. According to Frykman classification 27.2% of fractures were type 1 and 23.5% of fractures were type 5. Results: The results of treatment were evaluated with Stewart Scoring System and DASH Questionnaire. According to Stewart Scoring System the anatomical results were excellent in 40.7%, good in 44.4%, fair in 9.9% and poor in 5%. Otherwise functional results were excellent in 30.8%, good in 47%, fair in 17.2% and poor in 5% . Conclusion: In distal radius fractures treatment, closed reduction and cast applications are effective and inexpensive . We prefer this method for old and inactive patients and for the patients that have risk for surgery and for the patients that have less than 2mm stepping in joint surface, dorsal angulation less than 15°, radial shortening less than 4mm, volar angulation less than 20° and radial inclination loss below 10° after reduction.'