Key Points Essex-Lopresti injuries are frequently missed, therefore every proximal radius fracture requires at least a clinical and radiological examination of the elbow, forearm and wrist. In case of a clinical suspect Essex-Lopresti injury the recommended diagnostic tools to find…
Key Points Recognition of a Galeazzi pattern of injury is essential, as failure to recognize the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) injury can lead to permanent impairment. The primary goal of management is to obtain anatomic restoration of the radius and…
Key Points Simultaneous distal radius and scaphoid fractures are rare. If diagnosed, rule out or confirm if they are part of a trans-styloid, trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture dislocation (greater arc) with CT or MRI. These injuries are most often caused by…
Key Points Arthroscopic assistance allows direct visualization and correction of the reduction of intraarticular distal articular radius fractures A high percentage of concomitant scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) lesions are diagnosed with this technique Arthroscopy allows…
Key Points The use of bone grafts or bone graft substitutes for treatment of comminuted distal radius fractures is dictated by tradition, training, and personal experience. The use of bone grafts (substitutes) for treatment of comminuted distal radius fractures does…
Key Points The mainstay treatment for displaced extra-articular distal radius fractures with limited metaphyseal comminution is closed reduction and plaster immobilization. However, not all patients benefit. Carpal alignment and coronal plane translation are less familiar parameters to surgeons but important…
Key Points A number of treatment strategies exist for successful management of complex intraarticular distal radius fractures including: immobilization, external fixation, open reduction, and volar or fragment-specific plating as well as dorsal bridging plating. No well-controlled, methodologically strong studies have…
Key Points Volar plating is the workhorse of internal fixation for unstable distal radius fractures (DRFs) Dorsal plate technology has improved, decreasing associated hardware-related complications Combination plating is a viable option for highly unstable fracture patterns Fixation strategy should ultimately…
Key Points The minimally invasive approach of the flexor carpi radialis can be used for volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures. The upsides of this technique are the preservation of the ligamentotaxis to facilitate the reduction of the fracture…
Key Points Up to two-thirds of distal radius fractures re-displace after initial reduction or from a minimally displaced position at presentation. Increasing age and the presence of comminution, particularly dorsal, are the most commonly significant predictors of secondary displacement. Other…