The Usefulness of Non-operative Treatment of Distal Radius Fracture in Elderly Patients

PURPOSE: To disclose the correlation between the functional and radiologic results of the treatment of distal radius fracture in elderly patients by non-operative versus operative treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2000, 36 patients, more than 60 years old with fractures of distal radius were treated and followed up for more than one year. We classified them using the Fernandez classification and evaluated functional and radiological results according to the subjective point system of Cole & Obletz and objective evaluation by Scheck. RESULTS: In functional result, excellent to good results were obtained in 12 cases (71%) in the non-operative group and 14 cases (74%) in the operative group, there were no evidence of statistical difference between two groups (p>0.05). In radiographic results, mean radial inclination, loss of radial length and volar tilt were 13degree, 12.3 mm, 7.2degrees in the non-operative goup and 5.2degrees, 5.1 mm, 3.3degrees in the operative group on last follw-up radiographs, there were evidence of statistical difference between two groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Operative treatment is radiographically better result in distal radius of elderly patients but functional satisfaction is not significantly related with radiographic result. When we decide the treatment of elderly patients, non-operative treatment can be useful method, considering with patient's age and activity status.