Fractures of the distal radius are the most common ones occurring usually in post-menopause women after fall on the ground. The most serious of them are those extending into the radiocarpal joint.
They are treated mainly conservatively in plaster cast for 4-5 weeks. In most cases manipulation is necessary to reduce the fracture. Non-anatomically reduced intraarticular fractures are prone to development of post traumatic osteoarthritis.
When the fracture cannot be properly reduced or is redisplaced in plaster cast or the fracture line is extended into the radioacarpal joint, surgery is indicated. This is performed under general anaesthesia, brachial block or Bier’s block. Various techniques and means are used involving special plates with screws, pins, external fixation.
Despite postoperative physiotherapy some stiffness of the wrist is usually inevitable.