Radiological vs Clinical Outcome in DRF

Background: Several studies have investigated the degree of final displacement and its association with clinical outcome. There is still no consensus on the importance of radiological outcome and published studies do not use the same criteria for an acceptable alignment. Previous reports have used a linear or a dichotomized exposure in the statistical analysis, but no study has investigated a nonlinear association. Methods: We included 438 patients treated for a distal radius fracture (DRF) with either reduction and cast immobilization or surgery. Radiographic outcomes were determined by radiographs 3 months after the injury. Clinical outcome was determined by QuickDASH (qDASH), ROM and grip strength at 1-year after the injury. Nonlinear correlations were analysed with cubic splines.