Distal Radius Fractures in the Elderly: Current Controversies

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Controversies in Orthopedic Surgery of The Upper Limb

Abstract

Most patients with minimally displaced dorsal radius fractures (DRFs) can be treated nonoperatively with closed reduction (CR) and 5-week cast immobilization, with satisfactory results. However, DRFs in the elderly are often comminuted and intra-articular. It has been reported that Steinmann pin retractor-assisted CR combined with percutaneous pinning improves fracture reduction and wrist function and can serve as an effective method for A2 (AO/OTA) and A3 type of DRFs in the elderly with limited dorsal comminution, including intra-articular fractures with displacement less than 2 mm. Dorsal bridge plating (DBP) has been used most commonly in intra-articular, comminuted DRFs. Fixation with volar locking plates (VLPs) through a minimally invasive approach has been reported to be a satisfactory and optional method in the treatment of DRFs.

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Rodríguez-Merchán, E.C., Encinas-Ullán, C.A., Gómez-Cardero, P. (2022). Distal Radius Fractures in the Elderly: Current Controversies. In: Rodríguez-Merchán, E.C., Moreno-Garcìa, A. (eds) Controversies in Orthopedic Surgery of The Upper Limb . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04907-1_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04907-1_14

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