Primary Wrist Hemiarthroplasty for Irreparable Distal Radius Fracture in the Independent Elderly

Background  Volar plating for acute distal radius fractures (DRF) in the elderly has been recommended. Some studies have suggested that open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) in this situation results in frequent complications. Our purposes were to provide a definition of irreparable DRF in independent elderly patients and to review the results of a preliminary retrospective series of wrist hemiarthroplasty (WHA) in this patient population. Materials  Between 2011 and 2014, 11 consecutive independent elderly patients (12 wrists) with irreparable intra-articular DRF were treated with primary WHA at the acute stage. A resection of the ulnar head was associated in nine wrists. A total of 11 wrists with more than 2 years of follow-up form the basis of this paper. Description of Technique  The approach was dorsal longitudinal. An osteotome longitudinally entered the dorsal aspect of the fracture medial to the Lister tubercle. Two thick osteoperiosteal flaps were elevated radially and ulnarly in a fashion similar to opening a book. The distal radius articular surface was excised. The implant was pressed into the radial canal with attention to restoring distal radius length. The two osteoperiosteal flaps were brought back together and sutured so as to close, again like a book, the osseous and soft tissues around the implant. Results  At mean follow-up of 30 months, average visual analog scale (VAS) pain was 1/10. Mean QuickDASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score was 32, and mean Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score was 24. Mean forearm rotation arc was 151°. Mean active flexion-extension arc was 60°. Mean active extension was 34°. Mean grip strength was 14 kg (64% of contralateral wrist). Mean Lyon wrist score was 73%. Bone healing around the implants was satisfactory in all but one case. Conclusions  Out data suggest that treatment of irreparable DRF in the independent elderly patient with a bone-preserving WHA may be a viable option. Longer-term follow-up and comparative studies are needed to confirm the validity of this concept.