VOLCON: a randomized controlled trial investigating complications and functional outcome of volar plating vs casting of unstable distal radius fractures in patients older than 65 years

ConclusionsComplication rates after operative and non-operative treatment of DRF were similar. Volar plating did not improve the functional outcome after 5  weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. These findings are in line with recent RCTs and mandate a revision of guidelines towards more conservative treatment. Take home messages: (1) consider non-operative treatment in elderly patients sustaining unstable DRFs; (2) choosing operative treatment in patient s older than 65 years should not be the gold standard; (3) however, non-operative treatment still carries a risk for complications.Level of evidenceII.Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03716661, registered 23rd Oct 2018; Published protocol PMC6599306.
Source: Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research