Long-term outcomes and complications associated with operative and nonoperative treatment of distal radius fractures. Do we need to restore anatomy to have satisfactory clinical outcome?

A i m: The aim of this study was to assess long-term outcomes and complications associated with conservative and operative treatment of distal radius fractures and to determine if restoration of radio- graphic parameters influences functional outcomes. I n t r o d u c t i o n: Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are common injuries associated with many complications. Numerous studies suggest that operative treatment with anatomic reduction and restoration of radiographic parameters leads to better functional outcomes than nonsurgical treatment.Materials and Methods: We enrolled 207 patients with isolated DRF (mean age 64 ± 17.9 years, women 150 (72.5%)) to our retrospective, single-center study (101 treated operatively, 106 treated non-operatively). There were no significant differences in sex, age, AO type fracture between study groups. After 3.9 ± 1.6 years (mean ± SD) clinical, functional and radiological assessment was conducted using Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), grip and pinch strength tools. R e s u l t s: We found higher rates of malunion in nonoperative group (p <0.0001) and worse radiologic parameters such as volar tilt (p <0.0001), teardrop angle (p <0.0001) versus operative cohort. Nevertheless radiological parameters were not correlated with DASH and PRWE results. Moreover, patients aged 50 years and above treated operatively had similar functional outcomes (DASH, PRWE) to those treated nonoperatively. C o n c l u s i o n s: Restoration of anatomic and thus radiologic parameters of radius may not be obligatory to achieve satisfactory functional outcome in patients with DRF aged 50 years or above. Patient is the most important 'factor' in determining appropriate and successful treatment method of distal radius fractures.