Skip to main content
Log in

Fragment-Specific Fixation in Distal Radius Fractures

  • Distal Radius and Wrist Fractures (E Shin, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Fragment-specific fixation can be a useful tool in treating distal radius fractures. In order to best utilize these techniques, surgeons require an understanding of the normal anatomy, fracture patterns, approaches, and fixation strategies.

Recent Findings

Fragment-specific fixation may be appropriate for certain fracture patterns particularly when monoblock plating techniques are not sufficient.

Summary

Radial styloid, volar rim, dorsal wall, dorsal–ulnar corner, and impacted intraarticular fragments may be secured with implants designed specifically for each individual fragment. Although more technically demanding, advantages include accurate articular reconstruction, minimal hardware irritation, and reliable functional outcomes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Larsen CF, Lauritsen J. Epidemiology of acute wrist trauma. Int J Epidemiol. 1993;22(5):911–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Chung KC, Spilson SV. The frequency and epidemiology of hand and forearm fractures in the United States. J Hand Surg. 2001;26(5):908–15.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Medoff RJ. Essential radiographic evaluation for distal radius fractures. Hand Clin. 2005;21(3):279–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Ilyas AM, Mudgal CS. Radiocarpal fracture-dislocations. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2008;16(11):647–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Berger RA, Landsmeer JM. The palmar radiocarpal ligaments: a study of adult and fetal human wrist joints. J Hand Surg. 1990;15(6):847–54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Ritt MJ, Stuart PR, Berglund LJ, Linscheid RL, Cooney WP, An KN. Rotational stability of the carpus relative to the forearm. J Hand Surg. 1995;20(2):305–11.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Robson AJ, See MS, Ellis H. Applied anatomy of the superficial branch of the radial nerve. Clin Anat. 2008;21(1):38–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Reichel LM, Bell BR, Michnick SM, Reitman CA. Radial styloid fractures. J Hand Surg. 2012;37(8):1726–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Lamas C, Llusà M, Méndez A, Proubasta I, Carrera A, Forcada P. Intraosseous vascularity of the distal radius: anatomy and clinical implications in distal radius fractures. Hand (N Y). 2009;4(4):418–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Koh S, Andersen CR, Buford WL, Patterson RM, Viegas SF. Anatomy of the distal brachioradialis and its potential relationship to distal radius fracture. J Hand Surg. 2006;31(1):2–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Melone CP. Articular fractures of the distal radius. Orthop Clin N Am. 1984;15(2):217–36.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Jupiter JB, Nunez F, Fricker R. Manual of fracture management: hand. New York: Thieme; 2016. (AO Trauma Series)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Fernandez DL, Geissler WB. Treatment of displaced articular fractures of the radius. J Hand Surg. 1991;16(3):375–84.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ilyas AM. Surgical approaches to the distal radius. Hand (N Y). 2011;6(1):8–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. • Geissler WB, Clark SM. Fragment-specific fixation for fractures of the distal radius. J Wrist Surg. 2016;5(1):22–30 This article describes techniques for a fragment-specific fixation system with clinical photographs and imaging.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Mayfield JK, Johnson RP, Kilcoyne RK. Carpal dislocations: pathomechanics and progressive perilunar instability. J Hand Surg. 1980;5(3):226–41.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. •• Landgren M, Abramo A, Geijer M, Kopylov P, Tägil M. Fragment-specific fixation versus volar locking plates in primarily nonreducible or secondarily redisplaced distal radius fractures: a randomized controlled study. J Hand Surg. 2017;42(3):156–165.e1 This article compares volar plates with fragment-specific fixation, showing equivalent outcomes, but emphasizing some of the potential complications of fragment-specific fixation.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Benson LS, Minihane KP, Stern LD, Eller E, Eshadri R. The outcome of intra-articular distal radius fractures treated with fragment-specific fixation. J Hand Surg. 2006;31(8):1333–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Garner MR, Schottel PC, Thacher RR, Warner SJ, Lorich DG. Dual radial styloid and volar plating for unstable fractures of the distal radius. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2018;47(3).

  20. Harness NG, Jupiter JB, Orbay JL, Raskin KB, Fernandez DL. Loss of fixation of the volar lunate facet fragment in fractures of the distal part of the radius. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004;86-A(9):1900–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Nana AD, Joshi A, Lichtman DM. Plating of the distal radius. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2005;13(3):159–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Kozin SH. Perilunate injuries: diagnosis and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 1998;6(2):114–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Konrath GA, Bahler S. Open reduction and internal fixation of unstable distal radius fractures: results using the trimed fixation system. J Orthop Trauma. 2002;16(8):578–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Chin KR, Jupiter JB. Wire-loop fixation of volar displaced osteochondral fractures of the distal radius. J Hand Surg. 1999;24(3):525–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. •• O’Shaughnessy MA, Shin AY, Kakar S. Stabilization of volar ulnar rim fractures of the distal radius: current techniques and review of the literature. J Wrist Surg. 2016;5(2):113–9 This is a review of literature on volar–ulnar rim fracture treatment technique. The importance of reduction and fixation of this fragment is emphasized with helpful clinical photographs and radiologic studies.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Beck JD, Harness NG, Spencer HT. Volar plate fixation failure for volar shearing distal radius fractures with small lunate facet fragments. J Hand Surg. 2014;39(4):670–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Jupiter JB, Fernandez DL, Toh CL, Fellman T, Ring D. Operative treatment of volar intra-articular fractures of the distal end of the radius. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1996;78(12):1817–28.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Jupiter JB. Complex articular fractures of the distal radius: classification and management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 1997;5(3):119–29.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Patterson RW, Van Niel M, Shimko P, Pace C, Seitz WH. Proprioception of the wrist following posterior interosseous sensory neurectomy. J Hand Surg. 2010;35(1):52–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Cole DW, Elsaidi GA, Kuzma KR, Kuzma GR, Smith BP, Ruch DS. Distal radioulnar joint instability in distal radius fractures: the role of sigmoid notch and triangular fibrocartilage complex revisited. Injury. 2006;37(3):252–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Spiteri M, Ng W, Matthews J, Power D, Brewster M. Three year review of dorsal plating for complex intra-articular fractures of the distal radius. J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol. 2018;23(2):221–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Medoff RJ. Radiographic evaluation and classification of distal radius Fractures. In: Fractures and injuries of the distal radius and carpus. Elsevier; 2009 [cited 2018 Dec 22]. p. 17–31. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9781416040835000056

  33. Kim JK, Yun Y-H, Kim DJ. The effect of displaced dorsal rim fragment in a distal radius fracture. J Wrist Surg. 2016;5(1):31–5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Knirk JL, Jupiter JB. Intra-articular fractures of the distal end of the radius in young adults. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1986;68(5):647–59.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Erhart S, Schmoelz W, Lutz M. Clinical and biomechanical investigation of an increased articular cavity depth after distal radius fractures: effect on range of motion, osteoarthrosis and loading patterns. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2013;133(9):1249–55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bryan A. Hozack.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

Bryan A. Hozack and Rick J. Tosti each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Distal Radius and Wrist Fractures

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hozack, B.A., Tosti, R.J. Fragment-Specific Fixation in Distal Radius Fractures. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 12, 190–197 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-019-09538-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-019-09538-6

Keywords

Navigation