Association between Functional Outcomes and Radiographic Reduction Following Surgery for Distal Radius Fractures

Background: Quality of reduction in distal radius fractures (DRF) is assessed using radiographic parameters, however few studies examine the association between radiographic measurements and functional outcomes. Our purpose was to evaluate the relationship between radiographic measurements and clinical outcome measures following surgery for DRF using detailed testing to demonstrate further associations between post-surgical radiographic measurements and function.

Methods: Measurements were performed on postoperative radiographs of 38 patients following ORIF of DRF. Measurements included: radial inclination, radial height, ulnar variance, volar tilt, radiocarpal interval (d2/w2), and the intra-articular step-off. Clinical outcome measures included motion, grip strength, functional dexterity testing, Moberg pick-up test, specific activities of daily living, DASH score, pain scale, manual-assessment questionnaire.

Results: Different radiographic parameters correlated with different specific tasks. The parameter correlated with most functional tasks was ulnar-variance. Radial inclination, radial-styloid scaphoid distance, and fracture classification correlated with some functions. Intraarticular step-off, and radial height were not associated with functional testing.

Conclusions: Surgical radiographic results may affect post-operative function. Detailed task specific testing may enable a better evaluation of surgical outcomes. Further study and refinement of functional assessment may change our surgical goals in DRF.