ACTA FAC. MED. NAISS. 2006; 23 (4): 185-189

   Original article

UNSTABLE DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURES IN ELDERLY PATIENTS - OPERATE OR NOT

Viktor Kamiloski¹, Katerina Kasapinova¹, Ivan Micic²

¹Department of Traumatology, City Surgical Clinic Sv. Naum Ohridski, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
²Clinic of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Clinical Center Nis, Nis, Serbia

 SUMMARY

The study evaluates the final outcome of the treatment of the distal radius fractures with external fixation in patients older than the age of 65.

Thirteen patients over 65 years with the distal radius fracture were treated with external fixation. The fracture type was determined according to the Frykman Classification. For the evaluation of the outcome, six months after the operation we used: the Stewart Score System, Gartland and Werley, and PRWE (Patient-rated wrist evaluation).

According to the Stewart Score System, one patient had excellent results, nine patients had good results and three patients had fair results. The Gartland and Werley Score showed that four patients had excellent results, six patients had good results and three patients had fair results. According to the PRWE, two patients had no pain and no functional disabilities; five patients had minimal pain; five patients had mild pain and functional disability; one patient had moderate degree and frequency of pain and moderate functional disability.

The external fixation of the distal radius fractures in patients in advanced age enables high degree of functioning of the injured wrist and high level of daily activities. Judging from the benefit in providing an “independency” of these persons, the risk of the operative treatment is sustained.

Key words: distal radius fracture, external fixation, PRWE, wrist pain, wrist function