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Closed Reduction and External Fixation of Unstable Distal Radius Fractures

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Abstract

Until 10 years ago external fixation was a popular method for treating unstable distal radius fractures, but now volar locking plates are the most commonly used treatment. There is still, however, a place for external fixation in unstable distal radius fractures, in multi-trauma management and in very comminuted fractures. In external fixation of distal radius fractures it is important to use adjuvant pin fixation in order to secure the volar tilt and it is also important to avoid overdistraction of the radiocarpal joint. The main complication of external fixation is pin site infection which is treated with pin care and antibiotics.

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Correspondence to John H. Williksen MD .

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Williksen, J.H. (2014). Closed Reduction and External Fixation of Unstable Distal Radius Fractures. In: Hove, L., Lindau, T., Hølmer, P. (eds) Distal Radius Fractures. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54604-4_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54604-4_17

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-54603-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-54604-4

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