Patient-reported outcomes after a distal radius fracture in adults: a 3–4 years follow-up

• Main Authors: Roderick H van Leerdam, Floortje Huizing, Frank Termaat, Sanne Kleinveld, Steven J Rhemrev, Pieta Krijnen, Inger B Schipper
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2019-03-01
• Series: Acta Orthopaedica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17453674.2019.1568098

Background and purpose — There are few reports on the outcome of distal radius fractures after 1 year. Therefore we investigated the long-term patient-reported functional outcome and health-related quality of life after a distal radius fracture in adults. Patients and methods — We reviewed 823 patients, treated either nonoperatively or operatively in 2012. After a mean follow-up of 3.8 years 285 patients (35%) completed the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) and EuroQol-5D. Results — The mean PRWE score was 11. The mean EQ-5D index value was 0.88 and the mean EQ VAS for self-rated health status was 80. Nonoperatively treated type A and type B fractures had lower PRWE scores compared with operatively treated patients, whereas the EQ-5D was similar between groups. The EQ VAS for patients aged 65 and older was statistically significantly lower than that of younger patients. Interpretation — Patients had a good overall long-term functional outcome after a distal radius fracture. Patients with fractures that were possible to treat nonoperatively had less pain and better wrist function after long-term follow-up than patients who needed surgical fixation.