title: Clinical DRUJ instability does not influence the long-term functional outcome of conservatively treated distal radius fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The presence of distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability remains often unnoticed initially, but may worsen functional outcome of distal radius fractures (DRF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of concurring clinical DRUJ instability on the outcome of conservatively treated DRF.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective cohort study, all unilateral, conservatively treated DRF patients were invited for physical examination, CT scan of both wrists and filling out questionnaires. Static and dynamic DRUJ instability were clinically tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-nine DRF patients with a mean follow-up of 4.2 years (SD 0.5) were assessed. Seventeen patients tested positive for DRUJ instability. No differences were found in baseline characteristics between the DRUJ stable and unstable group. Apart from wrist flexion, no statistical significant differences in outcome was found between patients with and without DRUJ instability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of clinical DRUJ instability does not seem to affect functional outcome of conservatively treated distal radius fractures at long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery-Traumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands. mmewijffels@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: M M E
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wijffels
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery-Traumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krijnen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery-Traumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Schipper
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Distal radioulnar joint; Distal radius fracture; Instability; Wrist
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