Younger Patients and Men Achieve Better Recovery of Function Than Older Patients and Women with Surgically Treated Distal Radius Fracture

Abstract Background: Distal radial fractures (DRF), which are commonly managed by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with a volar fixed-angle plate, are a common upper limb fracture. The potential influence of age and gender on the results of postoperative functional recovery of patients with DRF has not been studied. In this study we therefore reviewed a large cohort of patients with DRF who had undergone ORIF with a volar plate to determine if functional measures as well as pain score differed according to gender and age. Methods: This was a retrospective study using routinely collected data. Between November 2013 to November 2018, we performed open reduction and volar locking plate to treat 1396 patients with DRF. Of those, 1089 (78%) patients were found eligible and entered the analysis. We compared a series of measures including ROM (flexion, extension, supination and pronation), grip strength and pain score according to gender and age at one month, three months and six months postoperatively. Results: Male patients had greater ROM, lower pain score and better grip strength at each time interval from one to six months postoperatively. However, the differences were attenuated over time. At the final follow-up piont, the differences in terms of flexion, grip strength and pain relief were still statistically significant. Younger patients had more favorable outcomes for almost all measures including flexion, extension, supination, pronation and grip strength. The differences had statistical significance at each follow up point and were more obvious with the development of time. There were no significant differences between younger and older groups with regard to pain scores during the entire follow-up period. Conclusions: Male and younger patients with volar ORIF of distal radial fractures achieve outcomes that are superior to female and older patients. Keywords: Distal radial fractures, Age, Gender, Functional recovery