Post-operative complications in patients with distal radius fractures

Abstract

Introduction: Fractures of the distal radius have complex morphology resulting in many complications, seriously affecting the normal hand function of patients.Aim and Objective: To explore the post-operative complications of distal radius fractures.Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted at the govt. Bone and Joint Hospital Barzulla, an associated Hospital of Govt. Medical College, Srinagar from January 2020 to December 2020. In this study a total of 30 patients with distal radius fractures were enrolled. The selected surgical methods were internal fixation in 17 cases and external fixation in 13 cases.Results: In this study, 10 patients had post-operative complications with the overall complication rate of (33.33%). Among them, carpal tunnel syndrome and traumatic arthritis are the most common ones, each accounting for 6.67%.Conclusion: The postoperative complication rate of distal radius fractures is relatively high. The prognosis is related to the patient’s age, AO classification, surgical method and the time to start exercise after surgery.