Surgical Techniques for Managing Complex Distal Radius Fractures: A Technical Report

Fractures of the distal radius are common injuries and may result from high-energy or low-energy trauma. Treatment options include non-surgical and surgical management, and although high-level evidence does not support surgical management for all of these fractures, there is a clear increasing trend in plate fixation for fractures of the distal radius. Where there is an indication to manage these surgically, open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fractures is a core surgical skill that most trauma surgeons possess. However, some of these fractures may present in complex or atypical patterns. We present our experience with such cases and a stepwise surgical technical note with several tips on managing specific components of these complex fractures.