Correlation between pain and radiological parameters in patients older than 60 years of age with distal radius fracture

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether there is a correlation between pain and acceptable distal radius fracture (DRF) alignment in patients older than 60 years of age. Material and method: This correlational study was carried out at the San Borja Arriarán Clinical Hospital. A total of 210 patients diagnosed with extra-articular DRF, according to the AO classification, were recruited prospectively recruited. Radiological parameters, including radial inclination, residual dorsal angulation and ulnar variance, were evaluated to assess the results of the orthopedic reduction. After the removal of the immobilization and after 6 months of follow-up, the pain intensity was assess with the visual analogue scale (VAS), the wrist function with the PRWE questionnaire and the grip strength with a dynamometer. Results: Only 88 patients (42%) showed acceptable DRF alignment. After cast removal, in the total of patients the correlations between alignment were as follows: VAS 0.17 (p = 0.546), PRWE 0.09 (p = 0.821), and grip strength 0.08 (p = 0.631). At the 6th months of follow-up, the correlation with the VAS was 0.09 (p = 0.668), PRWE 0.05 (p = 0.882) and grip strength 0.04 (p = 0.614). Conclusion: In the short and medium term, there was no significant correlation between acceptable alignment according to radiological parameters and pain and function of patients older than 60 years with extra-articular DRF treated conservatively.