Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Following Distal Radius Fracture: Does Surgical Method Matter?

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to compare the risk of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) following surgical treatment of distal radius fractures (DRFs) with either a volar locking plate (VLP) or an external fixator (EF).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Data from two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were merged and analyzed. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors for the occurrence of CRPS.

RESULTS

A total of 322 patients were included from the two RCTs; 159 patients were operated upon with VLP and 163 patients with EF. CRPS was diagnosed in 6 patients treated with VLP (4%) and in 16 patients receiving EF (11%), overall 22 cases of CRPS (7%). None of the other independent risk factors had a significant influence on the risk for CRPS (all p  > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients treated with an EF had a higher risk of developing CRPS compared to those treated with a VLP. We found no other independent variable predicting CRPS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.