Distal Radius Fractures

Abstract

During the last years there have been considerable changes in the assessment and management of distal radius fractures. In many patients, conservative treatment has shown poor functional results, despite satisfactory radiologic findings. This is due to a remarkably high number of concomitant carpal lesions occurring together with distal intraarticular radius fractures. Using wrist arthroscopy in the acute management of these fractures, the intraarticular fracture pattern can be exactly evaluated and concomitant carpal lesions like tears of the intrinsic ligaments of the proximal carpal row, lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex and free intraarticular bodies can be diagnosed and treated at the same sitting.