[Surgical treatment of distal fractures of the radius (author's transl)]

We report 25 follow-up-examinations of 26 patients with operated fractures of the distal radius. After explanation of the op. indications by means of the preoperative x-ray-result the used operation-procedures and results are shown with regard to exact x-ray-anatomic position and function. Instable osteosynthesis should only be used in cases without violation of the joint or in cases with only 2-3 fragments. Decisive advantages of a single procedure of stable osteosynthesis cannot yet be demonstrated. But the relatively good functional results and the possibility of early mobilisation of T-plate-osteosynthesis justify a wider application, even if exact roentgenological anatomic position could not always be achieved. In conclusion operative procedures should be taken only in irreducible and prognostic disadvantageous fractures of the distal radius because even by operative procedures the late results of severe injuries of the wrist joint can only be slightly improved.