Journal of Musculoskeletal Trauma

Epidemiological changes and surgical trends of distal radius fractures in adults over 50 years during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea: a nationwide repeated cross-sectional study: Han-Kook Yoon, So Ra Yoon, Kee-Bum Hong, Youngsu Jung, SeongJu Choi, Jun-Ku Lee; J Musculoskelet Trauma 2026;39(1):12-19. Published online January 25, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jmt.2025.00297

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have affected bone health in older adults in Korea. This study aimed to analyze changes in the epidemiology and management of distal radius fractures (DRFs) in older adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
Patients with DRF aged over 50 years in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021 were included in this study. Patients were classified into a group with DRF occurring between 2017 and 2018 (before COVID-19) and a group with DRF occurring between 2020 and 2021 (during COVID-19). We calculated the incidence rates of DRF and compared them between the two groups. We also analyzed and compared demographic data (age, sex, income, residence) and the operation rate for DRF between the two groups. Patient selection and treatment were based on International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision codes.
Results
A total of 140,634 patients with DRF (before COVID-19, 69,794; during COVID-19, 70,840) were included. The incidence of DRF before COVID-19 (184.4/100,000 person-years) was higher than during COVID-19 (169.8/100,000 person-years). The operation rate was higher during COVID-19 (86.9%) than before COVID-19 (83.3%).
Conclusion
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of DRF decreased in South Korea. However, the rate of surgical treatment increased and exceeded the global surgical rate. Level of evidence: III.

Pediatric Fractures around the Wrist: Gihun Kim, Kun-Bo Park; J Korean Fract Soc 2021;34(2):80-86. Published online April 30, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2021.34.2.80

Abstract PDF: Fractures around the wrist are the third most common fracture among all pediatric fractures. Furthermore, distal radius fractures, a type of wrist fracture, are the most common fractures in children. Understanding pediatric fractures around the wrist is very important considering their prevalence. There is a specific belief that pediatric fractures can heal easily because of remodeling, but not all fractures can heal without proper treatment. Complications such as growth problems, nonunion can occur if the fracture is not treated properly. This paper reviewed recent articles about distal radius fractures, Galeazzi-equivalent fractures, and carpal bone fractures, including scaphoid fractures in children and adolescents. Successful treatment can be achieved without complications when an accurate diagnosis and proper non-surgical or surgical treatment are performed based on this article.

Treatment of Wrist Frarture-Disluation using the Mini-External Fixator and Internal Fixation: Chil Soo Kwon, Young Uek Kim, Jin Hyok Kim, Won Ho Choi; J Korean Soc Fract 1992;5(2):417-425. Published online November 30, 1992; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.1992.5.2.417

Abstract PDF: Authors reviewed 8 cases of wrist fracture-dislocation treated with mini-external fixator and internal fixation form Septmeber 1989 to May 1992 with average 6 months follow up. The results were as follows ; 1. Mean ages were 47 years, most patients were young age. 2. We could achieve good results in intra-articular, communited, displaced fracture and open fracture of the wrist by using the mini-externall fixator and internal fixation. 3. Radial length and inclination was maintained mainly by the external fixator. Articular surface restoration and reconstruction was performed by bone graft and the limited internal fixation. We would like to recommend to use the mini-external fixator and limited internal fixation instead of plate and screws for the intraarticular fractue, displaced, communited farcture and open fracture of the wrist.

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