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Published in: HAND 4/2015

01-12-2015 | Review

A structured review addressing the use of radiographic measures of alignment and the definition of acceptability in patients with distal radius fractures

Authors: Emily A. Lalone, Ruby Grewal, Graham J. W. King, Joy C. MacDermid

Published in: HAND | Issue 4/2015

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Abstract

Background

Standard radiographs are routinely used in clinical care to characterize the severity of a distal radius fracture and to monitor patients following a distal radius fracture. The objective of this review was to describe the range and variability of radiographic measures described in the literature in patients following a distal radius fracture.

Methods

A structured literature review was conducted using the Embase and PubMed databases. Inclusion criteria included full-text publications which employed radiographic measures to examine 100 or more participants following a distal radius fracture. A standardized data extraction form was used to identify study design, fracture classification systems, the types of and definitions of radiographic measurements, and acceptability criteria following distal radius fractures.

Results

From an initial 263 studies, 31 studies were included in the final data extraction process. A narrative synthesis of the articles included in this review indicated that there was a set of commonly used radiographic measurements examined in patients with a distal radius fracture which included radial inclination, volar/dorsal tilt, intra-articular step/gap, and a measure of ulnar variance/radial shortening. While 52 % of studies referenced or published a standardized measurement technique, there was substantial variability in the actual description of each radiographic measurement performed.

Conclusions

Substantial variability in how radiographic measurements are defined in large clinical studies as seen in this review suggest a need for consensus on the assessment and interpretations of radiographic measures used in patients following a distal radius fracture. Guidelines for radiographic measures should be established to ensure consistency between research and treatment centers.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
A structured review addressing the use of radiographic measures of alignment and the definition of acceptability in patients with distal radius fractures
Authors
Emily A. Lalone
Ruby Grewal
Graham J. W. King
Joy C. MacDermid
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
HAND / Issue 4/2015
Print ISSN: 1558-9447
Electronic ISSN: 1558-9455
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-015-9772-9

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