Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes After Nonoperative Treatment of Distal Radial Fractures: What CT-Based Gaps and Step-Offs Can Be Accepted?

The historical 2 mm “rule” was originally based on plain radiographs linking step-off > 2 mm to radiographic osteoarthritis, not to functional outcome. Modern CT evaluation allows more precise measurement of intra-articular displacement, revealing that slightly greater incongruities can be tolerated without long-term disability. Nonoperative management remains valid for selected moderately displaced fractures after shared…