The bone & joint journal
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The bone & joint journal · Jul 2014
Multicenter StudyCortical comminution in distal radial fractures can predict the radiological outcome: a cohort multicentre study.
This paper investigates whether cortical comminution and intra-articular involvement can predict displacement in distal radius fractures by using a classification that includes volar comminution as a separate parameter. A prospective multicentre study involving non-operative treatment of distal radius fractures in 387 patients aged between 15 and 74 years (398 fractures) was conducted. The presence of cortical comminution and intra-articular involvement according to the Buttazzoni classification is described. ⋯ Displacement occurred in 31% (63 of 205) of fractures that were still in good alignment after 10 to 14 days. Regression analysis showed that volar and dorsal comminution predicted later displacement, while intra-articular involvement did not predict displacement. Volar comminution was the strongest predictor of displacement.