Distal Radial Fractures in the Late Middle Aged

Background: Wrist fractures are a common injury among people aged 55-70. The radius is one of the bones making up the wrist joint, and is typically the site of injury in a broken wrist. Methods of treating a broken radius include placing the wrist in a cast for 6 weeks (conservative management) or receiving surgery. Surgery allows for earlier movement of the wrist and return to activity, while being placed in a cast is less invasive than surgery. Surgery to fix these fractures has become more common; however there is little agreement about who should receive surgery and who should be placed in a cast to heal. The goal of this study is to compare outcomes between people aged 55-70 who have broken their wrist and had surgery, and those who received a cast. Procedures: Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups within 1 week of injury at their first clinic visit with the surgeon. Patients in Group A (surgical management) will continue with casting for a total of 6 weeks, as indicated by the surgeon. Patients in Group B (conservative management) will receive surgery, and the attending surgeon will determine the best fracture fixation method for the wrist. The research coordinator will assess the injured wrist at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months after the initial injury. At each assessment, the wrist will be examined and participants will be asked to fill in some questionnaires about health, pain, wrist function, and satisfaction with the wrist. An X-ray will also be performed on the wrist to assess bone healing. Information from each visit will be used to determine how participants are doing and to compare the 2 study groups.