Comparison of LONG-TERM results of surgical and conservative treatment of radius distal end fractures

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to retrospectively examining the radiological and functional results, developing complications, and the success of the treatments according to the treatment method chosen in distal radius fractures. Materials and Methods: In our study, 125 patients over the age of 18 who applied to Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Hospital between 2010 and 2020, were treated for unilateral inferior radius fracture, had at least 2 year follow-up and have adequate data were evaluated. VAS, qDASH, MAYO, Gartland and Werley clinical scores, range of motion and grip strength were used to evaluate the clinical findings at these final kontrols. Radial inclination, radial length, palmar inclination, and ulnar variance were measured in the evaluation of radiological findings with direct radiographs, and the presence of joint degeneration was evaluated with the Knirk-Jupiter arthritic scoring system. Results:125 patients with distal radius fracture diagnosis were included in the study. Closed reduction and cast application in 45 (36.0%) patients, percutaneous fixation with K-wire in 13 (10.4%) patients, osteosynthesis with plate in 56 (44.8%) patients, external fixation in 11 (8.8%) patients was applied. The qDASH score was higher in patients treated with external fixators compared to patients treated with plaster casts (p=0,003). The VAS (activity) score was higher in the patients who were applied external fixator than the patients who were applied cast and K wire (p=0,002).Dorsal angulation value was higher in patients treated with plaster than in patients treated with plate (p<0,001); the ulnar variance of the patients who were plated had a higher mean than the patients who had plaster cast (p=0,002). The radial inclination (p=0,016) and radial length values (p=0,033) of the patients who underwent plate were higher than the patients in the external fixator group. The joint stepping of the patients who were applied external fixator was higher than the patients treated with plaster(p=0,002). Results: Absolute radiological criteria should be obtained in distal radius fractures. The best functional results were obtained with the best radiological results Key words: Radius fractures, smoking, surgical treatment, conservative treatment