Omitting Routine Radiography of Traumatic Distal Radial Fractures After Initial 2-Week Follow-up Does Not Affect Outcomes

Distal radius fractures are at risk of failed reduction following either operative or non-operative treatment. For this reason, many surgeons routinely perform repeated radiographs throughout the follow-up period. It is unclear, however, whether more frequent imaging actually affects management or outcomes. Thus. the authors randomized 386 patients to routine care (X-rays at 1, 2, 6, and 12 weeks) or reduced imaging (X-rays at 1 and 2 weeks). Outcomes were the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. Secondary outcomes were the Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE), EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), Short-Form 36 (SF-36), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and health status. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of DASH score, EQ-5D, PRWHE, or VAS pain or health satisfaction. Complication rate was similar between the two groups. Overall, fewer radiographs were taken of the patients in the intervention group with no other significant differences.