Concomitant Carpal Injuries in Distal Radius Fractures: Retrospective Analysis by Plain Radiographs and Computed Tomography

Chul-Hyun Cho; Eun-Seok Son

doi:10.12671/jkfs.2015.28.1.1

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Cho and Son: Concomitant Carpal Injuries in Distal Radius Fractures: Retrospective Analysis by Plain Radiographs and Computed Tomography

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society 2015; 28(1): 1-7.

Published online: 20 January 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2015.28.1.1

Concomitant Carpal Injuries in Distal Radius Fractures: Retrospective Analysis by Plain Radiographs and Computed Tomography

Chul-Hyun Cho, M.D., Ph.D., Eun-Seok Son, M.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Chul-Hyun Cho, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keimyung University School of Medicine, 56 Dalseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-712, Korea. Tel: 82-53-250-7729, Fax: 82-53-250-7205, oscho5362@dsmc.or.kr

Received 29 September 2014 Revised 26 November 2014 Accepted 17 December 2014

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of concomitant carpal bone fractures and ligament injuries and to analyze risk factors for carpal injuries in patients with distal radius fractures.

Materials and Methods

A total of 362 patients with 379 distal radius fractures were reviewed retrospectively. Associated carpal bone fractures and ligament injuries were evaluated by plain radiographs and computed tomography at the time of initial trauma. Correlation between associated carpal injuries and various parameters was also analyzed.

Results

Of 379 distal radius fractures, 39 cases (10.3%) had one or more carpal bone fracture and 40 cases (10.6%) had carpal ligament injuries. Overall, carpal injuries occurred in 59 cases (15.6%) distal radius fractures. Associated carpal ligament injuries showed correlation with young age and associated carpal bone fractures showed correlation with AO type B distal radius fractures. Carpal injuries including fracture and ligament injury showed correlation with male, high energy trauma, or associated injuries beyond wrist.

Conclusion

The incidence of concomitant carpal injuries in patients with distal radius fractures is relatively high. Concomitant carpal injuries were more common in young age, male, high energy trauma, AO type B distal radius fractures, or associated injuries beyond wrist.

Keywords: Distal radius, Carpal bones, Fracture, Ligament injury

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

A 55-year-old female with a left distal radius fracture. (A) Plain radiographs show a comminuted fracture of the distal radius with widening of the scapholunate gap. (B) Computed tomography shows an avulsed fracture of the dorsal cortex of lunate.

Table 1

Correlation between Variables and Concomitant Carpal Bone Fracture in Patients with Distal Radius Fracture

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation or number. ^*Statistically significant.

Table 2

Correlation between Variables and Concomitant Carpal Ligament Injury in Patients with Distal Radius Fracture

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation or number. ^*Statistically significant.

Notes

None.

This study was supported by a research grant from Carte & Blanche Endo-Supply.

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