title: Where is the distal fracture line location of dorsally displaced distal radius fractures?
abstract: No consensus currently exists on the facture location of dorsally displaced distal radius fractures (DRFs). We present a systematic evaluation of the distal fracture line (DFL) location of DRFs and possible influencing factors. Determining the average location of DRFs provides a basis for developing more sensitive tests to determine bone strength using a variety of imaging techniques and for developing improved biomechanical models to test fracture characteristics and surgical implants. Initial radiographs of 157 DRFs dorsally displaced DRFs in patients aged 40-74 years were identified, patient and trauma specific data were collected, and standard radiographic measurements and (AO) fracture classification were performed. The dorsal and palmar DFL locations relative to the corresponding apex of the lunate facet were measured. The DFL was located dorsally 7.9 ± 2.7 mm and palmarly 11.7 ± 3.9 mm proximal to the corresponding lunate fossa apex. The dorsal DFL was significantly distal to the palmar one (p  < 0.001), but the two did not correlate (r² = 0.018, p = 0.095). DFL location was independent of age, energy of the fall, and fracture complexity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna,Vienna, Austria. sebastian.baumbach@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: Sebastian Felix
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Baumbach
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heinz
authors.forename: Vilmos
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vécsei
authors.forename: Philippe K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Zysset
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D017760:Bone Malalignment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003100:Colles' Fracture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices