The effects of immobilization subsequent to the repair of clean-cut tendon injuries on distal radius bone mineral content.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the changes of bone mineral density at distal radius and ulna in patients with volar wrist clean-cut tendon(s) injuries that were treated by early primary repair and passive mobilization.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with non-dominant hand injury (group I), 12 patients with dominant hand injury (group II) and 15 healthy volunteers serving as the control group (group III) were enrolled into this study. Side to side bone mineral component differences (SSD) of the proximal, middle and ultradistal radius that were obtained at 6th week and 4th month after operation were statistically compared.


RESULTS
In comparison with the control group, SSD measurements of the middle and proximal subregions of group II at the 6th week were significantly decreased (p<0.01 and p<0.001). The decreases were 8.9 and 8.6% respectively. Similarly, the 4th month SSD measurements of the middle and proximal subregions of group II were also significantly decreased compared to group III (p<0.001). The decreases were 10.2% and 7.7%, respectively. In group I, except a 7.4% decrease at the middle subregion of the radius at 4th month, there was no significant difference in SSD measurements as compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of our study indicate that there is a considerable bone loss of distal radius in patients who are surgically treated for acute clean-cut tendon(s) injuries at the volar wrist level.
Ertem
Kadir
K
Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, Inönü University, Turgut Ozal Medical Center. Malatya, Turkey. kertem@inonu.edu.tr
Kekilli
Ersoy
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011884:Radius / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery