Predicting the outcome of distal radius fractures.
There are myriad factors that affect patient satisfaction following a distal radius fracture, including anatomic alignment, age, motion, pain,and hand dominance to name a few. The seeming contradictions in the literature serve to illustrate that individual outcomes are not entirely predict-able because of the different functional demands,expectations, and pain tolerance for each patient. Elderly populations may tolerate greater degrees of residual deformity because of a more sedentary lifestyle. Unrecognized intracarpal pathology may account for poor results despite acceptable radiographic alignment. Possessing a knowledge of the predictive factors that affect adversely the functional outcome, however, does allow the surgeon to manage complications proactively to maximize the potential for an acceptable end result.
Slutsky
David J
DJ
Private Practice, 3475 Torrance Blvd., Suite F, Torrance, CA 90503, USA. d-slutsky@msn.com
D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology