title: The value of post-operative radiographs in clinical management of AO type A distal radius fractures.
abstract: The value of post-operative radiographs following stabilization of Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) type A distal radius fractures with volar locking plates is unclear. We examined the value of post-operative radiographs of type A fractures treated with volar locking plates. A retrospective review was performed on all AO type A distal radius fractures treated with volar locking plates between 2007 and 2010 at two institutions. A total of 158 patients receiving 446 sets of post-operative radiographs were included. Reviewing all clinic, emergency, and operative notes, we found that 94% of radiographs were performed as routine follow-up, with no set of post-operative radiographs demonstrating findings of hardware/fracture site complications. All cases requiring further workup or interventions were heralded by patient complaints. Routine post-operative radiographs following volar locking plates for extra-articular distal radius fractures did not demonstrably alter clinical decision making; this is an area where a reduction in resource utilization would not seem to alter clinical quality care, but further studies with larger populations are needed to establish the incidence of radiographic problems prior to symptom occurrence. Level of evidence: Diagnostic III.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huffaker
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA, USA.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Earp
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA, USA pblazar@partners.org.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Blazar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Complications; fractures; radiographs