Regional vitamin C in Bier block reduces the incidence of CRPS-1 following distal radius fracture surgery.

BACKGROUND: Systemic vitamin C supplementation after wrist fracture has been suggested to reduce the incidence of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of regional vitamin C in Bier block in the early phase of fracture on CRPS occurrence following surgery for distal radius fractures.

METHODS: Seventy-four patients with isolated extra-articular distal radius fracture with the plan of fixation under Bier block were enrolled. Patients were assigned randomly into two groups: receiving either 500 mg vitamin C or sterile water as a Bier block adjuvant. Both groups received 500 mg of oral vitamin C for six weeks. The patients were evaluated for CRPS signs and symptoms at 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks post-surgery.

RESULTS: The overall incidence of CRPS 12 weeks after surgery in the vitamin C group was significantly less than the controls (22.9% vs 45.5%, p = 0.04). Logistic regression analysis showed that the only significant contribution in predicting the incidence of CRPS came from the intervention variable (OR 0.26, CI95% 0.08-0.85; P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that adding vitamin C 500 mg to the local anesthetic in Bier block significantly reduces the incidence of CRPS following distal radius fractures.