The epidemiology of distal radius fractures

Abstract

Distal radius fractures are one of the most common types of fractures. Although the pediatric and elderly populations are at greatest risk for this injury, distal radius fractures still have a significant impact on the health and well-being of young adults. Data from the past 40 years have documented a trend toward an overall increase in the prevalence of this injury in both the pediatric and elderly populations. Understanding the epidemiology of this fracture is an important step toward the improvement of treatment strategies and the development of preventive measures with which to target this debilitating injury.

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1

The increasing incidence of distal radius fractures in boys and girls under the age of 20. The rise in incidence was statistically significant for both boys and girls. Data from Khosla et al., Incidence of Childhood Distal Forearm Fractures Over 30 Years. Ref.

Figure 2

A strong increase in the incidence of sports related fractures was found in the pediatric population, which may account for the rise in the overall incidence rates of distal radius fractures. Data from Putter et al., Trends in Wrist Fractures in Children and Adolescents, 1997–2009. Ref.

Figure 3

This shows the combined peak rate of fractures of both boys and girls to be around 10 years old, corresponding to peak rates documented in other studies. Data from Chung and Spilson, The Frequency and Epidemiology of Hand and Forearm Fractures in the United States. Ref.

Figure 4

Incidence rate of distal radius fractures per 10,000 people in men and women aged 19 to 80. The increasing incidence was statistically significant when comparing the three age groups in both men and women. Data from Brogren et al., Incidence and Characteristics of Distal Radius Fractures in a Southern Swedish Region. Ref.

Figure 5

Incidence rate of distal radius fractures per 100,000 people in men and women aged 16 to 80. A statistically significant difference was documented between the overall incidence of men and women, with women having a higher rate of fracture. Data from Flinkkila et al., Epidemiology and Seasonal Variation of Distal Radius Fractures in Oulu, Finland. Ref.