title: A comparison of the long-term outcome of partial articular (AO Type B) and complete articular (AO Type C) distal radius fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A short-term comparison of AO type B (shearing) and type C (compression) articular fractures of the distal radius found no significant differences in functional outcome, but long-term studies would provide important information. We tested the null hypothesis that there is no difference in arm-specific disability between patients with type B and C fractures in long-term follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 46 patients (17 with type B fractures and 29 patients with 31 type C fractures of the distal radius) with a mean age of 39 years at the time of injury at a mean of 20 years after operative treatment. We used the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire and 2 physician-based rating systems, the modified Mayo wrist score and the modified Gartland and Werley score. We performed bivariate and multivariable analyses to identify the factors that contributed most to the variation in these scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between patients with type B and C fractures on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, modified Mayo wrist, or Gartland and Werley scores, or with respect to range of motion, grip strength, and arthrosis. The only statistical difference was in volar tilt of the articular surface on lateral radiographs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On average, patients undergoing operative treatment of type B and type C articular fractures of the distal radius have similar impairment, symptoms, and disability in the long-term.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic III.
authors: Orthotrauma Research Center Amsterdam, the University of Amsterdam Orthopaedic Residency Program, the Trauma Unit Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Annelies
authors: A
authors: Bolmers
authors: Willem E
authors: WE
authors: Luiten
authors: Job N
authors: JN
authors: Doornberg
authors: Kim M
authors: KM
authors: Brouwer
authors: J Carel
authors: JC
authors: Goslings
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Ring
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Kloen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult