title: The use of plain radiographs in the classification of distal radius fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Classification systems guide surgical planning. We reviewed the accuracy of interpreting plain radiographs to classify distal radius fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre-operative radiographs of 24 consecutive distal radius fractures were classified using Frykman and AO methods. Classification was repeated intra-operatively under direct vision for comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the patients was 51 years. Pre-operative Frykman scores and AO grades were underestimated, compared with intra-operative visual classification (p < 0.001). One over-estimate occurred, while only 3 of 24 cases were classified correctly pre-operatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sensitivity of radiographs to classify Frykman or AO grades was 12.5%, indicating interpretation using plain radiographs alone is often inadequate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, Birmingham City Hospital, Bimingham B18 7QH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, Birmingham City Hospital, Bimingham B18 7QH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: David
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham B9 5SS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mohammed Kamil
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Quraishi
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Umar-Khetaab
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Hanif
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham B9 5SS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Hammad
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sadique
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, Birmingham City Hospital, Bimingham B18 7QH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Bhuvneswar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Machani
keywords: AO; Accuracy; Classification; Frykman; Radiograph