Background:

The distal radius fracture represent until 15% of all bone injuries in adults. The key in the recovery of mobility and functional outcomes are rehabilitation. The intra-articular application of magnesium sulphate has been used for postoperative pain. The objective was to determinate the improvement in pain and functional outcome of patients with distal radius fracture using intra-articular magnesium sulphate.

Material and methods:

Patients with distal radius fracture treated with percutaneous pinning and cast immobilization was included and randomized into two groups. The group 1 was applied 1.0 ml of magnesium sulphate and 1.5 ml of injectable water; meanwhile the group 2, the water was replaced with 1 ml of bupivacaine (5 mg/ml). The intra-articular infiltration was applied at the end of immobilization. Pain, functionality and movement of the wrist was evaluated for two weeks.

Results:

Twenty patients, 8 male and twelve females, with a mean age of 53 years (± 17 SD) was evaluated. A significative reduction of pain during the first minute and at three minutes after intra-articular infiltration in group 2 (p < 0.05). Both groups presented better articular outcomes at the two weeks (p < 0.05), and a better articular movement at same point (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

The intra-articular infiltration of magnesium sulphate plus bupivacaine help to reduces the pain.