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Review
. 2021 Feb;14(1):95-100.
doi: 10.1007/s12178-020-09689-x. Epub 2021 Jan 14.

Minimally Invasive Surgery: Is There a Role in Distal Radius Fracture Management?

Adam J Mirarchi  1 , Omar F Nazir  2
Affiliations
Review

Minimally Invasive Surgery: Is There a Role in Distal Radius Fracture Management?

Adam J Mirarchi et al. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review explores minimally invasive surgical techniques for distal radius fractures and guides their use in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, volar locked plating.

Recent findings: Fractures of the lunate facet, die-punch fractures, and marginal articular shear injuries present challenges that cannot be easily addressed with volar plating. The use of external fixation, Kirschner wires, and dorsal bridge plating should all be considered. These techniques, in combination and in addition to volar locked plating, continue to play an important role in fracture management. Arthroscopically assisted surgery with minimally invasive fixation allows for detailed inspection of the radiocarpal joint. Closed treatment and casting continue to play an important role in distal radius fracture care. The role of minimally invasive surgery for distal radius fractures is still being defined. While fixation using a volar locking plate is by far the most common treatment method, other techniques should be considered to improve outcomes and decrease complications.

Keywords: Distal radius fracture; Minimally invasive surgery; Wrist fracture.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a Displaced articular fragment visualized using arthroscopy. b Reduction of displaced fragment
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
a, b AP and lateral views of highly comminuted distal radius fracture with dorsal subluxation of the carpus. c, d AP and lateral views. Joint congruity restored with a minimally invasive dorsal bridge plate. Note the buttress effect which is keeping the carpus reduced on the radial articular surface
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
a, b AP and lateral views of isolated displaced radially styloid fracture. c, d AP and lateral views with radial styloid plate in place and fracture healed
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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