Surgical Indications for Distal Radius Fractures

ABSTRACT

In determining the treatment plan of distal radius fractures, the fracture type, stability, age, activity of patient may be concerned and radiologic parameters such as radial length, dorsal and volar tilt, radial inclination, joint incongruity have to be measured. In unstable distal radius fractures, secondary dislocation after primary closed reduction can be possible and a variety of factors affecting secondary displacement have been known, which are age, radial shortening, volar and dorsal cortical comminution et al. In general, the indications for surgical treatment are including step-off more than 2 mm, dorsal tilt more than 15degrees, radial inclination less than 15degrees, or radial shortening more than 5 mm.