The surgical treatment of wrist fractures (distal radius bone) has been changed by the introduction of a new plate design, the locking plate. This results in improved fixation and stabilisation of the fracture fragments allowing early movement. This type of plate has been increasingly used throughout the world but questions have been raised regarding the potential complications of the surgery, particularly nerve and tendon injury. The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital has treated over 250 distal radial fractures with this type of plate. The investigators plan to recall these patients to asses their long term function, general satisfaction and radiological results.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
136
Size, length of plate and number os screws decided by operating surgeon
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
DASH score
Disability of arm shoulder and hand score. This is a patient administered validated score
Time frame: One year or more post surgery
Pain
A patient administered visual analogue scale numbered 1-10. A mark can be placed anywhere along the line with a score of 0 indicating no pain and 10 the worst pain imaginable
Time frame: One year or more post surgery
Complications
Examination and questioning by a hand therapist to pick up complications. Prompting for tendon irritation or rupture, neurovascular injury, plate or screw failure, hardware removal and infection
Time frame: One year or more post surgery
Radiographic appearance
Review of xrays to measure radial inclination, volar tilt,, shortening, articular stepoff and degenerative change
Time frame: One year or more post surgery
EQ 5D
Euroqual 5D is a patient administered general health questionaire that is validated.
Time frame: More than one year post surgery
Grip Strength
Measured by a dynomometer and referenced to the non operated side
Time frame: One year or more post surgery
Range of motion
Measured with a goniometer. Measurements taken of movements in the axial,coronal and sagital planes
Time frame: One year or more post surgery
Pain
A patient administered visual analogue scale numbered 1-10. A mark can be placed anywhere along the line with a score of 0 indicating no pain and 10 the worst pain imaginable
Time frame: One year or more post surgery
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