[Indications, technique and preventable errors in conservative therapy of distal radius fracture]

The guidelines for conservative or operative treatment of fractures of the distal radius have been standardized for years. To decide whether conservative treatment is indicated the following factors are important: 1. the amount of metaphyseal impaction, 2. the presence of a joint surface, and 3. the remaining bony buttress. Conservative treatment is indicated in cases in which there is a chance to ensure retention. The difficulty of conservative treatment does not lie in special sophisticated steps of procedure. It is more important to consider the standardized technical procedures of reduction, adequate immobilization and surgical control.