Distal radius fractures after 75 years of age: are six-month functional and radiological outcomes better with plate fixation than with conservative treatment?

Surgery and non-operative treatment produce similar 1-year functional outcomes in patients older than 65 years. Data are lacking for patients older than 75 years. The main objective of this study was to compare surgical vs. non-operative treatment regarding short-term outcomes in patients older than 75 years. In addition to an overall analysis, sub-group analyses were done in patients with displacement and severe displacement (>20 ° posterior tilt). Surgery provides better clinical and radiological outcomes than does non-operative treatment. Patients older than 75 years at the time of a distal radius fracture were included prospectively over a 2-year period. A follow-up duration of at least 6 months was required. Treatment choices were based on displacement, Charlson’s Co-morbidity Index, and patient autonomy. Surgery consisted in open fixation using an anterior locking plate and non-operative treatment in a short arm cast without reduction. The main assessment was based on clinical criteria: range of motion, strength, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, the short version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand tool (QuickDASH), the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The secondary assessment criteria were the radiological outcomes and the complications. 74 patients were included, among whom 24 were treated surgically and 50 non-operatively. At 1.5 months, surgery was associated with significantly better results for flexion, ulnar inclination, and supination, with range increases of at least 7 ° vs. non-operative treatment, and with greater dorsal angle and ulnar variance values (p