Acutrak fixation of comminuted distal radial fractures

The authors describe a new technique of fixation of comminuted displaced distal radial fractures in young adults. A 40-year-old man fell from a ladder and injured his wrist. He sustained a comminuted fracture of the distal radius. The fracture was opened through a volar incision and the three rotated, unreduced fragments were reduced and fixed with three Acutrak (Acumed Inc., Beaverton, OR, USA) screws. A removable splint was applied to the wrist for one week, following which the wrist was mobilised. Six months later at a routine follow-up the patient had full functional use of the wrist. The purpose of this technical note is to discuss the fracture, the fixation technique, and the management of this subtype of distal radial fractures in young adults.