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J Wrist Surg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777023
Scientific Article

Outcomes in Patients with Bilateral Distal Radius Fractures

Stephanie A. Kwan 
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jefferson Health – New Jersey, Stratford, New Jersey
,
Richard McEntee 
2   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
,
Samir Sodha 
3   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hackensack-Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey
,
Moody Kwok
4   Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
,
Pedro K. Beredjiklian
4   Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
,
Jacob E. Tulipan
4   Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Abstract

Background Fractures of the distal radius that occur bilaterally are comparatively uncommon, with the incidence of these injuries and patient outcomes following different modes of treatment being unknown.

Questions/Purposes This article evaluates the demographics, management, and functional outcomes of patients that sustain bilateral distal radius fractures (DRFs).

Patients and Methods We retrospectively identified 85 patients that sustained bilateral DRF and were treated at a single institution from 2016 to 2019. Thirty-four patients were treated operatively, 41 patients were treated nonoperatively, and 10 patients were treated operatively in one extremity and nonoperatively in the other. Fractures were classified by a single fellowship-trained orthopaedic hand surgeon. Range of motion (ROM) data and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) scores were collected. Differences between the three groups with regards to demographics, mechanism of injury (MOI), and complications were recorded.

Results The pediatric population had significantly higher energy MOIs compared to the adult population. There was no difference between the groups with regard to associated injuries or complications. The pediatric population had significantly more AO type A fractures compared to the adult population, which had a bimodal distribution of AO type A and C fractures. The pediatric population saw significantly more patients undergo nonoperative treatment. Both populations had a higher rate of operative intervention for bilateral DRF than noted in the literature for unilateral. In the adult population there were no significant differences in DASH scores between the operative and nonoperative groups.

Conclusion Bilateral DRFs appear to have a similar bimodal age distribution to unilateral DRF. Younger patients undergo nonoperative management more commonly than operative or mixed management. Postoperative ROM and complications appear to be equivalent across all three groups regardless of age.

Level of Evidence Level IV, Prognostic study.

Keywords

fracture - radius - bilateral

Discloser

Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.


This study was reviewed and approval waived by the Institutional Review Board at Thomas Jefferson University.


This work was performed at the Rothman Institute of Orthopaedics.




Publication History

Received: 25 July 2023

Accepted: 20 October 2023

Article published online:
15 January 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
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