Operative Distal Radial Fractures: A Comparison of Time to Surgery After Evaluation by Surgical and Nonsurgical Providers in a Walk-in Clinic

Abstract

To determine if orthopedic surgeons are more efficient than nonsurgical providers at care of operative injuries in walk-in clinics, patients in a walk-in clinic for evaluation of acute injury who subsequently had surgical treatment of isolated distal radial fracture were compared based on whether the initial visit was with a surgical or nonsurgical provider. Initial evaluation in a walk-in orthopedic clinic setting versus a conventional hand surgeon's clinic was associated with longer delay between initial evaluation and surgical treatment, but this difference may not be significant. Evaluation by a nonsurgical provider was not associated with increased duration to definitive treatment.

Keywords: Distal radial fracture; Evaluation; Nonsurgical providers; Walk-in clinic.