The Journal of hand surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Long-term outcome of nonsurgically treated distal radius fractures.
To study the long-term outcome after nonsurgically treated distal radius fractures including recovery of grip strength, mobility, and radiographic parameters. ⋯ Our data indicate that a number of patients with nonsurgically treated distal radius fractures still experience some hand/wrist impairment a decade after the trauma. The severity of fracture displacement seems to influence the clinical outcome in contrast to patients' age. Recovery of grip strength is slower than that of range of motion. Elderly patients recover more slowly than young patients. Dorsal angulation was improved but remained considerable (13 degrees -18 degrees ), while final radial shortening (2-3 mm) increased from the injury status.