Do Radiological and Functional Outcomes Correlated for Patients Receiving Physiotherapy After Volar Plating of Distal Radius Fracture?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between radiological outcomes and range of motions, grip strength, and functional outcomes in patients receiving physiotherapy after volar plating of distal radius fracture. Methods: 31 patients (18 female, 13 male) who completed the 12-week supervised physiotherapy program after volar plating of distal radius fracture were enrolled. Radiographic measurements of the patients were made by direct radiographs taken at 1 week postoperatively. Volar tilt, radial length, radial inclination and ulnar variance values were recorded. Wrist and forearm range of motions, grip strength and functional level (Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation “PRWE” and Disabilities of Arm, Hand and Shoulder “DASH”) were assessed at the end of the 12-week physiotherapy program postoperatively. Functional scores of the wrist, grip strength and range of motions were measured. Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between radiological and functional outcomes. Results: Significant positive correlations were found between "ulnar variance value", which is one of the radiological measurements, and PRWE pain score and PRWE total score (p=0.030, r=0.443; p=0.039, r=0.424, respectively). There was no statistically significant correlation between other radiological measurements and none of the parameters (p>0.05). Wrist flexion and extension were significantly correlated with grip strength (r=0,660, r=0.619, respectively) and PRWE function score (r=-0.497, r=-0.520, respectively). Conclusion: This study showed that only ulnar variance value has an effect on functional outcomes in patients receiving physiotherapy after volar plating of distal radius fracture. For more precise results, studies with various reduction types and different number of patients were needed.