title: The relationship between radiographic parameters and clinical outcome of distal radius fractures in elderly patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Treatment of distal radius fractures in elderly patients is controversial. This study explored the relationship between radiographic parameters and clinical outcomes of patients with distal radius fractures following conservative treatment. The study was done using radiographic measurements of distal radius fractures in elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two active, healthy patients with conservatively managed distal radius fractures were included in the study. Functional and radiographic assessments were made 1 year after injury. Fifty patients who underwent corrective osteotomy comprised the control group. Radiographic parameters and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. The correlation coefficients of the radiographic parameters were analysed using multiple regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radius height (RH), volar tilt (VT) and Mayo wrist and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores in the experimental group were significantly superior to those of the control group. There was no significant group difference in radial inclination. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the most important factor affecting functional outcome was RH, followed by VT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RH and VT were significantly correlated with the clinical outcomes of conservative treatment of distal radius fractures. RH should be given foremost consideration in elderly patients. Preoperatively, surgeons should evaluate this parameter carefully and be prepared to treat injuries accordingly.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV retrospective study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China. Electronic address: caileyi1990@gmail.com.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005260:Female; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Conservative treatment; Distal radius fractures; Elderly patients; Radiographic parameters; Radius height