Incidence and characteristics of carpal fractures occurring concurrently with distal radius fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence and characteristics of carpal fractures occurring concurrently with distal radius fractures and to determine the risk factors for this combination.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 161 consecutive patients with 170 distal radius fractures who were treated between 2007 and 2011. Posteroanterior, lateral, and oblique radiographs of the wrist were examined, as were computed tomography scans when available. We evaluated the incidence and characteristics of carpal fractures occurring concurrently with distal radius fractures and the patient factors of gender, age, AO/ASIF classification, and energy of the injury.


RESULTS
Of the 170 distal radius fractures, 11 (7%) also had 1 or 2 carpal fractures. Of the 15 carpal fractures, 8 were scaphoid, 2 triquetrum, 2 pisiform, 1 capitate, 1 trapezium, and 1 hamate. Eleven of the 15 carpal fractures were diagnosed by computed tomography alone. Male gender, patients of lower mean age, AO/ASIF type B, and high-energy trauma significantly raised the risk of simultaneous fractures of the distal radius and carpals.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of carpal fractures occurring concurrently with distal radius fractures was not negligible, and almost all carpal fractures had no or minimal displacement. Suspicion of carpal fractures occurring concurrently with distal radius fracture should be high, and computed tomography should be considered, in males, young patients, and those with AO/ASIF type B fractures and high energy trauma.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center, Gifu, Japan. rbyshingo@yahoo.co.jp
Shingo
S
Komura
Tatsuo
T
Yokoi
Hidehiko
H
Nonomura
Hiroyuki
H
Tanahashi
Takashi
T
Satake
Norihito
N
Watanabe
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult