"PAF" analysis of acute distal radius fractures in adults. Preliminary results.

There is not enough evidence in the literature to support the use of any treatment in distal radius fractures, mainly because of the heterogeneous aspects of most series. There is a need for more standardized analyses of distal radius fractures that should allow the identification of more homogeneous groups of patients. The authors propose a novel synthetic method to analyse acute distal radius fractures in adults. A one-page chart includes criteria related to the patient (P), the energy of the accident (A), and the characteristics of the fracture (F) along with associated ulnar and carpal lesions. The preliminary results of the use of this chart in 258 consecutive patients are presented. Four homogeneous groups of patients are described and the principles of their treatment are discussed.