Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 1226-2102
eISSN 2005-8918
    J Korean Orthop Assoc. 2015 Aug;50(4):307-312. Korean.
    Published online Aug 24, 2015.
    https://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2015.50.4.307
    Copyright © 2015 by The Korean Orthopaedic Association
    Original Article

    Epidemiology and Seasonal Variance of Incidence of Distal Radius Fractures

    Ho-Jae Lee, M.D., Soo-Hong Han, M.D., Yong-Gil Jo, M.D., Soo-Hyun Lee, M.D. and Sun-Tae Bong, M.D.
      • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.
    • Correspondence to: Soo-Hong Han, M.D. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 59 Yatap-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 13496, Korea. TEL: +82-31-780-5270, FAX: +82-31-780-5944, Email: hsoohong@hanmail.net
    Received February 09, 2015; Revised March 11, 2015; Accepted May 25, 2015.

    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    Fracture of the distal radius is one of the most common fractures encountered in the emergency room. The incidence of distal radius fracture has increased substantially according to several studies that estimated the overall incidence in various general populations. However, there is a paucity of epidemiological data regarding distal radius fracture in Korea. The aim of this study was to estimate the epidemiology and seasonal variance of incidence of distal radius fractures in the Korean population.

    Materials and Methods

    Medical records and radiographs of the 432 patients who visited the emergency room for distal radius fractures from January 2012 to December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Authors analyzed the epidemiologic parameters including age, gender, injury mechanism, fracture classification, combined fracture, treatment method and monthly incidence.

    Results

    The mean age of the patients at the time of injury was 53 years (41.6 years in 171 men, 64.5 years in 261 women). The highest incidence in age distribution was the sixth and seventh decade (45.2%) and male to female ratio was 1.0:2.5. Most fractures (78.4%) were caused by a lower energy fall and the most common combined fractures were the ulnar styloid fracture (38.6%). According to the AO classification, 54.5% were type A, 14.5% were type B and 31.0% were type C and 39.2% of the patient underwent surgery for treatment. The incidence of fracture began to rise in November (12.1%) and peaked in December (14.2%).

    Conclusion

    This study examined the epidemiology and seasonal variance of incidence of distal radius fractures from the patient records of a single University hospital. The epidemiological data gathered in this study could be added to our knowledge of distal radius fractures in the Korean population, thus it enables the Korean surgeon to determine the best management for individual patients.

    Keywords
    distal radius fracture; radius fracture epidemiology; seasonal incidence

    Figures

    Figure 1
    Incidence of distal radius fractures according to gender and age.

    Figure 2
    Incidence of distal radius fracture of the injury mechanism.

    Figure 3
    Seasonal incidence of distal radius fractures.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Treatment Method for Distal Radius Fracture Associated with Fracture Patterns and Age

    Notes

    CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:The authors have nothing to disclose.

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    MeSH Terms
    Age Distribution
    Classification
    Emergency Service, Hospital
    Epidemiology*
    Female
    Humans
    Incidence*
    Korea
    Male
    Medical Records
    Radius Fractures*
    Radius*
    Retrospective Studies
    Seasons*
    Metrics
    Share
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    Tables
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