Fracture Healing in Elderly Distal Radius Fracture with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: It is hypothesized that elderly patients with type II mellitus are at a higher risk for delayed union of distal radius fracture and this risk is specific to patients with comorbidity of diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study is to compare the fracture healing time duration in elderly, diabetic distal radius fracture with those of non-diabetic control group. Material and methods: Elderly distal radius fracture with type II diabetes mellitus in 22 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were individually matched to controls, who were treated by the author from the same institute with respect to age, gender, fracture type Radiographs were reviewed to determine fracture healing Univariate and multivariate regression were used to identify factors associated with time to radiographic fracture union. Results: In 4 (18.2%) of diabetic group A and 20 (90.9%) non diabetic group B patients exhibited a radiologically visible callus formation at 4 weeks. While no callus formation was visible in 18 (81.8%), 2 (9.1%) accordingly. The mean average time to fracture of 66 ± 19 days was visualized in group A of type II diabetes mellitus patients versus 46 ± 12 days in group B, non-diabetic control group (P > 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed that group A patients were associated with longer time for fracture healing (P = 0.02). The age (P = 0.29), sex (P = 0.31) was not associated with increased fracture healing time duration. No differences were detected between both the groups A and B in terms of treatment approach (P = 0.61). Conclusion: The fracture healing time duration in elderly diabetic distal radius fracture group was categorically prolonged than non-diabetic control group.