Conservative treatment in intra-articular fractures of the distal radius: a study on the functional and anatomic outcome in elderly patients.

Fractures of the distal radius are common among elderly patients. Although the indications for surgical treatment are clearly defined, there are patients who will not consent to an operation, even when it is indicated. Inevitably, these cases will require conservative treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between the functional and anatomic stati of these patients. One hundred and eight patients, with intra-articular distal radial fractures, who had been treated non-surgically, were investigated in this study. Functional and anatomic assessments were also performed. The mean follow up period was 39.5 months. The mean age of the subjects was 73.9 years. Although 25.9% of the patients had fair and poor anatomic scores, 88.9% were considered to have good and excellent functional results.