Tips and Tricks in the Management of Distal Radius Fractures

Abstract

Distal radius fractures are common. Volar plating is a valuable approach for many fractures. There are also difficult fractures that require careful attention to the exposure and technique for successful volar plating. Classic approaches, such as external fixation with additional percutaneous reduction and pinning or bone graft and fragment-specific fixation, remain valuable especially when volar plating is not applicable. The main objectives are to review the intricacies of volar plating and the use of external fixation with distal radius fractures. This also includes an understanding of the associated injuries that are present with these fractures and the expected outcome of these injuries relative to the distal radius fracture. First, the challenges with volar locked plating as well as many tips and tricks to help with reduction and stabilization of these fractures are reviewed. Second, the benefits and tips and tricks of external fixation are discussed. Finally, the management of common combined injuries with distal radius fractures is reviewed.