TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - Epidemiology and treatment of distal radius fractures at four public hospitals in Malawi
JO  - Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: global research and reviews
A1  - Dworkin, Myles
A1  - Harrison, William James
A1  - Chidothi, Paul
A1  - Mbowuwa, Foster
A1  - Martin, Claude Jr
A1  - Agarwal-Harding, Kiran
A1  - Chokotho, Linda
SP  - 
EP  - 
VL  - 8
IS  - 4
N2  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about the burden or management of distal radius fractures (DRFs) in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to describe the care of DRFs in Malawi. <br><br>METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a registry of all patients with fractures who presented to the orthopaedic departments at four public hospitals in Malawi. <br><br>RESULTS: Totally, 1,440 patients (14.5%) were with a DRF. Average age was 40, and 888 (62.0%) were male. Surgery was done for 122 patients (9.5%). Patients presenting to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, patients presenting after a fall, and patients initially evaluated by an orthopaedic registrar or orthopaedic clinical officer had lower odds of receiving surgical treatment. Meanwhile, open injuries had the greatest odds of receiving surgery. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The most common musculoskeletal injury among patients in the Malawi Fracture Registry was fractures of the distal radius. These most affected young adult male patients may benefit from surgery; however, the majority were managed nonsurgically. Lack of access to surgical fixation and conservative follow-up may have long-term functional consequences in a predominantly agrarian society. Outcomes-based research is needed to help guide management decisions and standardize patient care and referral protocols.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2474-7661
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-23-00282
ID  - ref1
ER  -