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Closed reduction of distal radius fractures: does instability mean irreducibility?

  • Trauma Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The belief that not all distal radius fractures can be initially anatomically reduced with conservative means is rising. The aim of this study was to examine whether adequate reduction with a closed reduction technique is possible and to assess the importance of each step.

Materials and methods

We prospectively enrolled 63 distal radius fractures (62 patients). A standardized reduction technique was implemented. Reduction was radiologically evaluated in hanging traction, after reduction, and in plaster. Subgroup analysis was performed for fracture-dependent and fracture-independent factors on their influence on reduction.

Results

The mean radiological values (radial inclination, dorsal tilt, ulnar variance) showed near anatomic reduction of all fractures in plaster. Fracture severity according to AO classification, initial displacement, number of instability criteria and patient age did not affect the reduction outcome.

Conclusions

All types of enrolled fractures were nearly anatomically reduced. This contradicts the opinion that some “severe” fractures are too unstable to be initially reduced by closed means.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Clinic, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany

    Florian Wichlas, Norbert P. Haas & Serafim Tsitsilonis

  2. Emergency Department, Trauma Wing, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Clinic, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany

    Tobias Lindner

  3. Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies/BSRT, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany

    Serafim Tsitsilonis

Authors
  1. Florian Wichlas
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  2. Norbert P. Haas
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  4. Serafim Tsitsilonis
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Correspondence to Serafim Tsitsilonis.

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Wichlas, F., Haas, N.P., Lindner, T. et al. Closed reduction of distal radius fractures: does instability mean irreducibility?. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 133, 1073–1078 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-013-1758-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-013-1758-x

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