Distal Radius Fractures in Diabetic Patients: An Analysis of Surgical Timing and Other Factors That Affect Complication Rate.

Background: While not studied for distal radius fractures, the effect of surgical timing on complication rate has been extensively analyzed in the treatment of pilon fractures. The primary aim of this study was to identify any effect surgical timing has on postoperative complication rates after surgical fixation of distal radius fractures in diabetic patients.

Methods: All patients who underwent surgical fixation of distal radius fractures at a single suburban academic hospital between 2012 and 2019 were reviewed. For each patient, demographics, comorbidities, injury details, fixation method, and postoperative complications were noted. The effect surgical delay, among other factors, had on complication rate in diabetic and nondiabetic patients was explored.

Results: Overall, 124 diabetic and 371 nondiabetic distal radius fractures were included. While diabetics had a statistically higher rate of total complications (21.0 vs. 13.5%, = .045) but similar major complications requiring surgery ( = .12), there was no difference in surgical delay between groups among patients who had total ( = .31) or major ( = .69) complications. Surgical timing was not a risk factor for total ( = .50) or major complications ( = .32) in diabetic fracture bivariate or multivariate analysis. Only younger age and higher energy injuries were significant risk factors for total complications in bivariate ( = .02, = .03) and multivariate ( = .04, < .05) analysis.

Conclusion: Complication rates after surgically stabilized distal radius fractures in diabetic patients are higher than in nondiabetic patients. However, this rate is not affected by surgical timing. Instead, surgeons should consider factors such as diabetic control in an effort to maximize outcomes and decrease complications.

Level Of Evidence: Prognostic Level III.