[Fracture of the distal radius]

Distal fracture of the radius is an injury to a complex joint that is comprised functionally of four partial joints and makes it possible for the hand to move in all directions. The injuries to bone and cartilage and to the stabilizing ligamentous structures and the surrounding soft tissue vary as functions of the impact responsible, the mechanism of injury, and any previous illnesses. The objectives of treatment are restoration of pain-free, unrestricted and lasting function of the wrist and lower arm and avoidance of the typical complications. Stable fractures are treated by conservative means, while unstable fractures with fragmentation are realigned in a closed procedure and then stabilized by internal or external fixation. In the case of fractures in bones affected by osteoporosis it is usually not necessary to make good a metaphyseal defect when specially adapted fixed-angle plates are used. Complex intraarticular AO type C3 fractures with multiple fragments frequently require a two-step procedure with primary closed realignment, an external fixator spanning the joint, and subsequent extensive diagnostic examinations to ascertain any concomitant injuries and allow a decision on the definitive treatment that is most suitable for the type of injury present.