Distal Radius Fractures: On the Cutting Edge of Improving Outcomes and Preventing Complications

Patients with acceptably reduced intra-articular distal radius fractures should be treated operatively with plate fixation as this leads to better functional outcomes. Not only does operative treatment lead to better functional outcomes, but this treatment method is also cost-effective. Health insurance companies should take into account the reduction in indirect medical costs when evaluating reimbursement for distal radius fracture treatment. Furthermore, functional outcome in patients with intra-articular distal radius fractures is not improved by routine arthroscopy for removal of hematoma and debris when performing surgical fixation of distal radius fractures. To prevent post-traumatic complications factors such as carpal alignment and correct plate placement should be taken into account. To prevent malunions of the distal radius in pediatric patients, volar plate fixation can be considered when other minimal invasive options appear insufficient. If malunion does occur, a corrective osteotomy is an effective method for treating symptomatic malunions of the distal radius. These new insights in distal radius fracture treatment aim to further improve the prognosis of patients with distal radius fractures.

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