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.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Agee JM. Distal radius fractures. Multiplanar ligamentotaxis. Hand Clin. 1993;9(4):577–85.
Bartosh RA, Saldana MJ. Intraarticular fractures of the distal radius: a cadaveric study to determine if ligamentotaxis restores palmar tilt. J Hand Surg Am. 1990;15(1):18–21.
Braun RM, Gellman H. Dorsal pin placement and external fixation for correction of dorsal tilt in fractures of distal radius. J Hand Surg Am. 1994;19(4):653–5.
Downing ND, Karantana A. A revolution in the management of fractures of the distal radius? J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2008;90(10):1271–5.
Hove LM, Krukhaug Y, Revheim K, Helland P, Finsen V. Dynamic compared with static external fixation of unstable fractures of the distal part of the radius: a prospective, randomized, multicenter study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010;92(8):1687–96.
Margaliot Z, Haase SC, Kotsis SV, Kim HM, Chung KC. A meta-analysis of outcomes of external fixation versus plate osteosynthesis for unstable distal radius fractures. J Hand Surg Am. 2005;30(6):1185–99.
McQueen MM. Non-spanning external fixation of the distal radius. Hand Clin. 2005;21:375–80.
Modi CS, Ho K, Smith CD, Boer R, Turner SM. Dynamic and static external fixation for distal radius fractures- a systematic review. Injury. 2010;41(10):1006–11.
Papadonikolaikis A, Shen J, Garret JP, Davis S, Ruch DS. The effect of increasing distraction on digital motion after external fixation of the wrist. J Hand Surg Am. 2005;30(4):773–9.
Schuind FA, Cantraine FRL, Fabeck L, Burny F. Radiocarpal articular pressures during the reduction of distal radius fractures. J Orthop Trauma. 1997;11(4):295–9.
Seitz WH, Froimson AI, Leb R, Shapiro JD. Augmented external fixation of unstable distal radius fractures. J Hand Surg Am. 1991;16(6):1010–6.
Williksen JH, Frihagen F, Hellund HD, Husby T. Volar locking plates versus external fixation and adjuvant pin fixation in unstable distal radius fractures: a randomized, controlled study. J Hand Surg Am. 2013;38(8):1469–76.
Wolfe SW, Swigart CR, Grauer J, Slade 3rd JF, Panjabi MM. Augmented external fixation of distal radius fractures: a biomechanical analysis. J Hand Surg Am. 1998;23(1):127–34.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
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
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54604-4_17
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-54603-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-54604-4
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)