79) Pinning of Osteoporotic Distal Radius Fractures. Is the loss of Reduction Correlated with the
Degree of Osteoporosis?
N. Hollevoet, S. Goemaere, P. Vanseymortier, P. Verdonk, R. Verdonk
Objectives:
The study is designed to determine whether loss of reduction is greater in severely osteoporotic
patients than in mildly osteoporotic patients with distal radius fractures treated with percutaneous
pinning.
Methods:
Seventy women above the age of forty with a distal radius fracture produced by a low-velocity
trauma were included in the study. Ulnar variance, radial inclination and palmar tilt were measured
on X-rays within the first postoperative week and a six weeks postoperatively. The degree of
osteoporosis was determined by measuring the metacarpal cortical thickness. Bone mineral density
of the contralateral wrist and tibial ultrasound velocity were also measured in 39 and 34 patients,
respectively.
Results:
We found no significant correlations with the loss of reduction and the degree of osteoporosis.
Conclusion:
Loss of reduction is not directly correlated with the degree of osteoporosis in pinned distal radius
fractures. Other factors like fracture type and surgical technique may play a more important role.