Treatment of distal radius fractures

J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2010 Mar;18(3):180-9. doi: 10.5435/00124635-201003000-00007.

Abstract

The clinical practice guideline is based on a systematic review of published studies on the treatment of distal radius fractures in adults. None of the 29 recommendations made by the work group was graded as strong; most are graded as inconclusive or consensus; seven are graded as weak. The remaining five moderate-strength recommendations include surgical fixation, rather than cast fixation, for fractures with postreduction radial shortening >3 mm, dorsal tilt >10 degrees , or intra-articular displacement or step-off >2 mm; use of rigid immobilization rather than removable splints for nonsurgical treatment; making a postreduction true lateral radiograph of the carpus to assess dorsal radial ulnar joint alignment; beginning early wrist motion following stable fixation; and recommending adjuvant treatment with vitamin C to prevent disproportionate pain.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Arthroscopy
  • Bone Transplantation
  • Casts, Surgical
  • Humans
  • Immobilization / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthopedic Procedures / methods*
  • Radiography
  • Radius Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Radius Fractures / therapy*
  • Splints