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Bone Bulletin

Abstract

Introduction

A distal radius fracture (DRF) is a common upper-extremity injury that occurs when the radius is fractured near the wrist, usually after falling on an outstretched or flexed hand. DRFs account for one-sixth of fracture-related emergency department visits.2 In a 2009 study, a sample of 87 million Americans with upper-extremity fractures revealed the most common fracture sites were the distal radius and ulna.3 The distal radius was the most common fracture site in patients younger than 18 and older than 49, and the incidence is increasing in older adulthood.3, 4 A DRF can be classified as a Colles or Smith fracture, depending on the angle of the distal radius as the fracture occurs. A Colles fracture usually results from a direct impact to the palm, while the less common Smith fracture results from an impact to a bent wrist. Management of these fractures depends on the fracture pattern and severity of bone displacement, ranging from nonsurgical treatment like a splint or cast to surgical fixation with pins, an external fixator, or plates and screws via open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). In any case, the frequency of these injuries can make them a financial burden for the healthcare system and the patients.1 Therefore, this article investigates the impact of socioeconomic factors on DRF treatment and post-operative outcomes.5

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