BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and distribution of associated carpal bone fractures (CBFs) in distal radial fractures (DRFs). METHODS: Three hundred and thirteen patients who underwent surgical treatment for DRFs between March 2007 and January 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. In this study, 223 patients who had preoperative computed tomography (CT) were included. We investigated the frequency and distribution of associated CBFs on CT scans. The relationship between the frequency of associated CBFs and patient factors such as age, gender, body mass index, and the mechanism of injury was assessed. RESULTS: CBFs were complicated in 46 of 223 DRFs (20.9%). The distribution of CBFs was 23 cases in the triquetrum, 16 in the lunate, 12 in the scaphoid, five in the hamate, and four in the pisiform. Among the 46 cases, a fracture of one carpal bone occurred in 36 cases, two in seven cases, three in two cases, and four in one case. In 10 of the 46 cases, associated CBFs occurred in more than two carpal bones. No significant differences were observed for age, sex, body mass index, or the mechanism of injury between patients with DRFs and CBFs and those without CBFs. CONCLUSIONS: Because CBFs that mainly occur in the proximal carpal row are complicated in DRFs at a relatively high frequency, assessment of carpal bones using CT scans is beneficial.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carpal Bones/*injuries/radiography ; Female ; Fractures, Bone/*complications/radiography ; Hand Injuries/*complications/radiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures/*complications/radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the influence of wrist joint stability of patients with diversified fracture of the distal radius, and to find out the difference of the clinical effect between the patients with surgical treatment and non-surgical treatment.

METHODSFrom January 1999 to September 2006 a total of 200 cases with the fracture of the distal radius were reviewed according to the AO classification, the radiolunate angle, scapholunate angle, palmar tilt angle and the length of the radial shorting and step-off of the articular surface were measured by the standard X-ray. Gartland and Werley as modified by Sarmiento evaluation system was used, and the results were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThe average follow-up period was 5 years and 2 months. The follow-ups revealed 5 types of carpal instability: scapholunate dissociation, volar intercalated segment instability, dorsal intercalated segment instability and palmar or dorsal shift of the carpus. Functional results were excellent and good in 78% of the total patients. The increasing of the length of the radial shorting and step-off of the articular surface was found to be associated with greater risk of carpal instability.

CONCLUSIONSBased on the results of the study, wrist articular surface and radial shortening and palmar tilt angle should be considered as the most important factors of the healing effect after the fracture of the distal radius. Wrist joint stability depends on the structure of the bone and ligament around wrist joint. Carpal instability wound leads to significantly effect on the wrist. And surgery was necessary to severe intra-articular fracture of the distal radius.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Radius Fractures ; complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Wrist Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Young Adult