Epidemiological, radiological, therapeutic, and evolutionary aspects of distal radius fractures in adults in South Kivu: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Distal radius fractures, common upper limb injuries, lack of multicenter data from sub-Saharan Africa. This study profiles their epidemiology and management in Bukavu, South Kivu, DR Congo.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 192 adults with distal radius fractures across 16 hospitals (2018-2023), reviewing medical records for epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and outcome data.

RESULTS

Mean age was 40.46 ± 16.16 years (range: 17-90), with male predominance (60%) and urban origin (82.3%). Traffic accidents caused 44.8% of fractures, primarily hyper-extension compression injuries (88.3%). Castaing type I (Pouteau-Colles fracture) prevailed (70.3%), treated mostly with intrafocal pinning (60.9%), with a mean hospital stay of 4.49 ± 4.37 days and fracture union achieved in an average of 47.56 ± 6.75 days. Complications were rare (e.g. five cases of malunions).

CONCLUSION

This first multicenter DR Congo study links distal radius fractures to traffic trauma, suggesting stricter regulations could reduce incidence in resource-limited settings.