TOTBİD Dergisi

TOTBİD Dergisi

2012, Cilt 11, Sayı, 3     (Sayfalar: 255-260)

Fractures of distal radius in athletes

Hakan Gündeş 1, Mustafa Şahin 1

1 Maltepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul

DOI: 10.5606/totbid.dergisi.2012.33
Görüntüleme: 899
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İndirme : 910

Sports injuries are primarily one of the underyling etiology of fractures. A total of 13% of the fractures have been shown to be the consequences of sports-related activities in the epidemiological studies. This rate may increase up to 24% in young adults. In order from the highest to the lowest incidence, soccer, rugby, snowboarding, hockey and basketball have been associated with sports-related fractures. Nearly 80% of sports-related fractures occur in the upper limb. The phalanx of the hand is the most common site of fractures, followed by distal radius. The most commonly associated activities with distal radius are winter sports (skating, snowboarding, skiing), and rugby and soccer. Currently, no specially designed classification system or treatment algorithm of sports-related distal radius fractures are available. Treatment should be individually tailored, depending on the fracture type and the specific needs of the athlete. As in the other populations, it appears reasonable to use AO classification and/or predefined classification systems for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of distal radius fractures. On the other hand, there is no established surgical treatment option for distal radius fractures. For orthopedists, the importance of the sports-related activities performed to the patient is generally considered in surgical treatment decision making. Although conflicting reports are available, 10 to 15 degrees of dorsal or 25 degrees of volar angulations, as well as 1 to 3 millimeters of shortening and 1 to 2 millimeters of stepping off are indications for surgical intervention for young adults and older individuals who are physically active. Distal radius fractures associated triangular fibrocartilage complex or carpal ligament damage should be also carefully evaluated and then treated. The literature review has also revealed that treatment of distal radius fractures in child athletes is similar to the therapeutic approach for pediatric population. Longterm evaluation of the factors which may affect the outcome has shown that intraarticular step off and incongruence, and angulations and shortening are the primary causes for limited range of motion and osteoarthritic changes, leading to 10-fold increased risk for osteoarthritis. Currently available data suggest that restoration of the anatomical relationships and protection until the healing process is completed are of utmost importance to maintain functional wrist joint without pain following distal radius fracture in athletes.

Anahtar Kelimeler : Distal radial fracture; sports medicine; treatment