title: Utility and cost analysis of radiographs taken 2 weeks following plate fixation of distal radius fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the utility of radiographs taken 2 weeks following plate fixation of distal radius fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of patients requiring operative fixation of distal radius fractures was performed with the objective of determining the utility of a 2-week postoperative radiograph in patient management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three out of 268 (1%) patients had loss of fixation noted radiographically at the 2-week visit that resulted in a reoperation. There was no statistically significant difference in radial inclination, radial height, or volar tilt measured at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, or final follow-up. The average cost of a series of wrist radiographs was $85 with no additional radiology reading fees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine 2-week postoperative radiographs of operatively treated distal radius fractures rarely resulted in a change in patient management; however, they may have added unnecessary cost to the patient and health care system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Economic and decision analysis IV.
authors.affiliation: Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa, FL. Electronic address: jsto@tampabay.rr.com.
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.affiliation: Foundation for Orthopaedic Research and Education, Tampa, FL.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Vaccaro
authors.affiliation: Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa, FL.
authors.forename: R Colin
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Brabender
authors.affiliation: Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa, FL.
authors.forename: Alfred V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Hess
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000191:economics; D011859:Radiography / Q000191:economics*; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Distal radius fracture; cost; radiograph; utility