Bilateral distal radius fracture in third trimester of pregnancy with accelerated union: a rare case report

Bilateral distal radius fracture is a rare entity. There is no literature reporting a bilateral distal radius fracture in pregnancy. Fracture healing is influenced by hormones. Hormonal changes of pregnancy will affect the healing of a fracture. A 28-year-old female at 34 wk of pregnancy sustained a bilateral distal radius fracture after a self fall. One side was managed conservatively and open reduction was done for the other side. Both fractures united at four weeks. This case is unique in three ways. First distal radius fractures commonly occur in elderly postmenopausal females due to oestrogen deficiency. In this case a distal radius fracture occurred following a self fall in third trimester of pregnancy - a hyperestrogenic state. Second the time taken for union was only four weeks signifying the hormonal effects on pregnancy on fracture healing. Third the occurrence of bilateral distal radius fracture itself is very rare in adults. In pregnancy there is a faster rate of fracture healing due to effects of oestrogen and increased cardiac output. Fractures in pregnancy require special attention. Surgical intervention should be done with a multidisciplinary approach. While management of fractures in pregnancy, effect of hormonal and physiological changes should be kept in mind.