[Translated article] Treatment of dorsal radiocarpal fracture dislocation: Clinical and radiological long-term outcomes

Abstract

Main

To describe our experience treating dorsal radiocarpal fracture dislocations, regarding long-term clinical and radiological outcomes.

Material and method

Retrospective chart review of 15 patients treated in our institution from 2007 to 2021. Inclusion criteria were patients over 16 years, treated at a third level hospital of Madrid and an average follow-up of 56 months. Epidemiological data were collected from digital records. VAS, QuickDASH and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) scales were employed for clinical results assessment. All radiological studies were reviewed for radiological results assessment. A descriptive statistical analysis of all variables was developed.

Results

Among 15 patients with a mean follow-up of 56 months: 12 males (80%) and 3 females (20%) with a mean age of 39.5 years. The left wrist was injured in most cases (66.7%). All patients were treated surgically; 4 of them (27%) were assisted by wrist arthroscopy. Mean VAS at final follow-up was 2.6 with activity. Mean PRWE was 32 and mean QuickDASH was 28, which means satisfactory results. Eighty percent of patients developed wrist stiffness with most affected flexo-extension followed by prono-supination. Sixty-seven percent of patients developed radiological signs of wrist osteoarthritis at the end of follow-up.

Conclusions

In spite of a large number of clinical and radiological complications during follow-up, long-term functional results are good in this kind of wrist injuries.