[Is there still a place for conservative treatment of distal radius fractures in the adult?].
Contrary to Colles'opinion which pretended the fracture of the distal radius would heal without sequellae, many studies devoted to this problem showed that complications will affect one third of the cases (malunion, nerve compression, dystrophy, tendon rupture). It is important for the surgeon to know well the different fracture types, the general condition of his patient as well as his osteoarticular state to make the good choice of treatment. Our study shows that the nonoperative treatment will be chosen for any fracture type as far as it concerns an old or crippled patient, especially if there is an osteoporosis. On the contrary, for a young and active patient with a good bone quality, non operative treatment will be chosen as far as the fracture will be reducible and stable. If it is not, an osteosynthesis has to be done. Many studies already published tend to demonstrate that there is a correlation between anatomical and functional results. However, concerning elderly, this correlation tend to disappear with time.
Della Santa
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Unité de chirurgie de la main, hôpital cantonal universitaire, 24 rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1207 Genève, Suisse.
Sennwald
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G
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003657:Decision Making; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
Y a-t-il une place pour le traitement conservateur de la fracture du radius distal chez l'adulte?