Lower limb muscle strength and balance in older adults with a distal radius fracture: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Distal radius fractures are common fractures in older adults and associated with increased risk of future functional decline and hip fracture. Whether lower limb muscle strength and balance are impaired in this patient population is uncertain. To help inform rehabilitation requirements, this systematic review aimed to compare lower limb muscle strength and balance between older adults with a distal radius fracture with matched controls, and to synthesise lower limb muscle strength and balance outcomes in older adults with a distal radius fracture.

METHODS

We searched Embase, MEDLINE, and CINAHL (1990 to 25 May 2022) for randomised and non-randomised controlled clinical trials and observational studies that measured lower limb muscle strength and/or balance using instrumented measurements or validated tests, in adults aged ≥ 50 years enrolled within one year after distal radius fracture. We appraised included observational studies using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and included randomised controlled trials using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Due to the clinical and methodological heterogeneity in included studies, we synthesised results narratively in tables and text.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies (10 case-control studies, five case series, and four randomised controlled trials) of variable methodological quality and including 1835 participants (96% women, mean age 55-73 years, median sample size 82) were included. Twelve included studies (63%) assessed strength using 10 different methods with knee extension strength most commonly assessed (6/12 (50%) studies). Five included case-control studies (50%) assessed lower limb strength. Cases demonstrated impaired strength during functional tests (two studies), but knee extension strength assessment findings were conflicting (three studies). Eighteen included studies (95%) assessed balance using 14 different methods. Single leg balance was most commonly assessed (6/18 (33%) studies). All case-control studies assessed balance with inconsistent findings.

CONCLUSION

Compared to controls, there is some evidence that older adults with a distal radius fracture have impaired lower limb muscle strength and balance. A cautious interpretation is required due to inconsistent findings across studies and/or outcome measures. Heterogeneity in control participants' characteristics, study design, study quality, and assessment methods limited synthesis of results. Robust case-control and/or prospective observational studies are needed.

REGISTRATION

International prospective register of systematic reviews (date of registration: 02 July 2020, registration identifier: CRD42020196274).

Effective communication regarding risk of fracture for individuals at risk of fragility fracture: a scoping review

Two scoping reviews were conducted to review recommendations and guidelines for communication regarding general health risk, and to investigate communication strategies regarding risk of fracture. Healthcare professionals are invited to apply these recommendations to optimize a patient-centered approach to reducing risk of fracture.

INTRODUCTION

To conduct a scoping review of the medical literature regarding recommendations and tools for effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients regarding general health risk and risk of fracture.

METHODS

The scoping review was divided into two parts to search for (1) studies presenting recommendations and guidelines for communication regarding general health risk; (2) studies investigating communication regarding risk of fracture for individuals at risk for fractures. Medline was searched in April 2020 to identify relevant studies.

RESULTS

The scoping review included 43 studies on communication with regard to general health risk and 25 studies about communication regarding risk of fracture. Recommendations for effective communication with regard to risk are presented. Communication of numeric data on risk should be adapted to the literacy and numeracy levels of the individual patient. Patient understanding of numerical data can be enhanced with appropriate use of visual aids (e.g., pie charts, icon arrays, bar charts, pictograms). The FRAX® tool is the most recommended and most used tool for assessing risk of fracture. Communication sent as individualized letters to patients following DXA scans has been studied, although patient understanding of their risk of fracture is often reported as low using this technique. Use of visual aids may improve patient understanding.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare professionals are encouraged to apply recommendations presented in this scoping review in their clinical practice. Patient understanding of risk of fracture should be confirmed by making sure that patients feel free to ask questions and express their concerns. This will contribute to an optimal patient-centered approach. Developing online tools to convert the probability of fracture into patient-friendly visual presentations could facilitate communication between healthcare professionals and patients about risk of fracture.

Development of the Home Fall Hazard Checklist

Objective

Home hazard assessment is particularly important following a fracture as a means of preventing subsequent fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate current checklists and evidence on home hazard to develop a usable self-administered checklist that could be used by adults to assess home hazards.

Design

Review and observational, prospective study. Setting. Community dwelling. Participants. Nine adults (4 men, 5 women) were asked to review the checklist and provide feedback on whether items were relevant, comprehensive, and easy to understand. Intervention. A search for literature examining the causes of falls that focused on home hazards or behaviours was conducted, and causes were extracted. Using the combined list of home hazards, a draft checklist was created. The participants were asked to pilot the checklist through their home. Primary and Secondary Outcome. An initial iteration of the checklist was modified to reduce redundancy (by grouping certain items together), improve usability (by adding a “not applicable category”), and improve readability (by removing double-barrelled questions or rewriting certain items).

Results

This process resulted in 74 items in 10 areas. On average, it took 10 minutes for the participants to complete the home walk-through while filling out the checklist.

Conclusion

The fall hazard-home checklist is a new checklist designed to identify home fall hazards with the intended use of being either administered by self-report through memory or supported by a walk-about, and that could potentially be completed by a patient who has incurred a fall, fracture, a family member, or caregiver. Given the expense of home hazard assessments that involve a home visit, the validity of this method of detection warrants further investigation.

Therapist's practice patterns for subsequent fall/osteoporotic fracture prevention for patients with a distal radius fracture

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION

Multifactorial risk factor screening and treatment is needed for subsequent falls/osteoporotic fractures prevention (SFOFP), given the elevated risk among patients with distal radius fracture (DRF).

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The primary objective was to describe hand therapists' knowledge and clinical practice patterns for assessment, treatment, referral, and education with respect to SFOFP for patients with DRF older than 45 years. Secondary objective was to explore therapist's preferences in content and delivery of knowledge translation tools that would support implementation of SFOFP.

METHODS

A cross-sectional multinational (Canada, the United States, and India) survey was conducted among 272 therapists from August to October 2014. Completed surveys were analyzed descriptively.

RESULTS

Surveys were completed by 157 therapists. Most respondents were from the United States (59%), certified hand therapists (54%), and females (87%). Although 65%-90% believed that they had knowledge about SFOFP assessment, treatment, and referral options, 55% did not include it in their routine practice for patients with DRF. Most assessed medication history (82%) and never used a Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (90%) or lower extremity muscle strength testing (54%) to identify those at risk of secondary fractures. With respect to treatment, approximately 33% always used upper extremity muscle strengthening exercises. Most reported rarely (sometimes to never) using balance (79%), lower extremity muscle strengthening (85%), bone strengthening (54%), or community-based physical activity (72%) programs. Similarly, when surveyed about patient education, therapists rarely (sometimes to never) advised patients about web-based resources (94%), regular vision testing (92%), diet for good bone health (87%), bone density evaluation (86%), footwear correction (73%), and hazard identification (67%). Most hand therapists were interested to receive more information on SFOFP for patients with DRF. Nearly one-half preferred to have Web sites for patients, and two-fifth were in favor of pamphlets for patients.

CONCLUSION

Current practice patterns reveal care gaps and limited implementation with respect to SFOFP for patients with DRF. Future research should focus on web-based educational/knowledge translation strategies to promote implementation of multifactorial fall risk screening and hand therapist's engagement in SFOFP for patients with DRF.

Epidemiology of distal radius fractures and factors predicting risk and prognosis

STUDY DESIGN

Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION

For optimal Distal Radius Fracture (DRF) rehabilitation and fracture prevention, it is important to understand the epidemiology and factors predictive of injury, chronic pain, chronic disability, and subsequent fracture.

PURPOSE

To summarize the literature reporting on DRF epidemiology, risk factors, and prognostic factors.

METHODS

Literature synthesis.

RESULTS

Although incidence varies globally, DRFs are common across the lifespan and appear to be on the rise. Risk of DRF is determined by personal factors (age, sex/gender, lifestyle, health condition) and environmental factors (population density, climate). For example, age and sex influence risk such that DRF is most common in boys/young men and older women. The most common causes of DRF in the pediatric and young adult age groups include playing/sporting activities and motor vehicle accidents. In contrast, the most common mechanism of injury in older adults is a low-energy trauma because of a fall from a standing height. Poorer health outcomes are associated with older age, being female, poor bone healing (or having an associated fracture of the ulnar styloid), having a compensated injury, and a lower socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk stratification according to predictors of chronic pain and disability enable therapists to identify those patients who will benefit from advocacy for more comprehensive assessment, targeted interventions, and tailored educational strategies. The unique opportunity for secondary prevention of osteoporotic fracture after DRF has yet to be realized by treating therapists in the orthopedic community.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.