Treatment of wrist fractures 2009-14.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to conduct a systematic analysis based on data from the Norwegian Patient Registry and describe the incidence and treatment of wrist fractures among adults, at national level and in the catchment areas of the various regional health authorities.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A search was conducted in the Norwegian Patient Registry for all patients aged ≥ 18 years with diagnosis codes for wrist fractures in the period 2009–2014. Age, sex and type of treatment were recorded. The results are presented as rates adjusted for age and sex for the catchment areas of Norway’s 21 regional health authorities.

RESULTS: In the period 2009–2014, a total of 75 132 patients aged ≥ 18 years were registered as having a wrist fracture. Almost 1/3 of these patients received operative treatment. During this period, the age- and sex-adjusted rate of wrist fractures in Norway averaged 244 per 100 000 inhabitants per year. Operation rates varied across catchment areas by a factor of three, and the use of plates by a factor of nine.

INTERPRETATION: We found great variation in clinical practice, which is reflected in differences in operation rates and choice of surgical method across the catchment areas to which the patients belong.