1.Epidemiology and Factors Affecting Functional Outcome of Distal Radial Fracture in an Urban Tertiary Medical Centre in Malaysia
Chao WQ ; Azman MZ ; Rosdi SA ; Tuan-Mustafa TAW ; Tan YJ ; Abdullah S ; Aizuddin AN
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal 2021;15(No.3):84-90
Introduction: Distal radial fracture is a commonly
encountered fracture. This study aims to study the
epidemiology of distal radial fracture and factors affecting
the patients’ functional outcome one to two years after the
injury.
Materials and methods: This is a retrospective cohort
study. The records of patients, fulfilling the radiographical
diagnosis of distal radial fracture, and aged 18 and above,
who presented to our Emergency Department from 1st
January 2018 to 31st December 2018 were retrieved.
According to AO classification, we grouped our patients into
A (extra-articular), B (partial articular) and C (complete
articular). Patients with congenital abnormalities were
excluded. Epidemiological data and relevant medical history
were obtained and tabulated. A Malaysian language
translation of Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand
(DASH) questionnaire was used to assess the functional
outcome.
Results: Out of 168 patients’ data retrieved, only 110
patients’ data were found complete for purposes of this study.
The mean DASH score was 13.7 ± 7.87 approximately one
to two years post-injury regardless of treatment method.
Increasing age was associated with higher DASH score with
r=0.407(p<0.001). Several variables had significantly better
functional outcome: male gender (p=0.01), Type A fracture
configuration (p=0.007) and non-operational treatment
(p=0.03). There was no significant difference between
treatment modalities in Type A fracture (p=0.094), but
Type B (p=0.043) and Type C (p=0.007) had better outcome
without surgery. There was no significant difference between
different ethnic groups, open or closed fracture and
mechanism of injury.
Conclusion: Better functional outcome after sustaining
distal radial fracture was associated with young age, male
gender, type A fracture and treated non-operatively.
Interestingly, more complex fracture pattern had better
functionality were observed without surgery.