73 papers, newest 30 shown · updated 2026-09-26 · Hand & Upper Extremity · All topics
The newest papers on distal radius fractures from the orthopaedic journals The Reduction reads, newest first, each with a one-line summary. The list is drawn from the digest’s archive and refreshed every week.
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This review outlines complex distal radius fracture patterns where volar locking plates alone are insufficient and describes alternative fixation strategies like dorsal plating and fragment-specific constructs.
In a large multicenter database, EPL rupture after distal radius fracture was rare overall (0.1% nonoperative vs 0.36% operative), with surgical treatment nearly tripling the risk, informing patient counseling and vigilance.
Pronator quadratus repair integrity after anterior plating of distal radial fractures correlates with improved grip strength at 1 year but not with motion or disability scores.
Ulnar neuroma-in-continuity after distal radius fracture is rare but treatable with nerve allograft and dynamic tendon transfer, achieving functional recovery when early investigation identifies structural nerve injury.
Radiocapitate distance correlated with wrist flexion but was not an independent predictor of functional outcomes after volar locking plate fixation.
A combined CNN and random forest AI model predicted hand surgeons' operative versus nonoperative recommendations for distal radius fractures with 87% accuracy using pre-reduction radiographs and clinical data, showing feasibility for point-of-care decision support.
In nonagenarians undergoing distal radius fracture surgery, radiographic alignment was well maintained with acceptable complications (15%), though correlation between radiographic parameters and functional outcome was weak, supporting surgery as a safe option in selected elderly patients.
Patient Expectations After Distal Radius ORIF: A Guide for Surgeons.
Single-surgeon series of 34 distal radius ORIF patients found steady pain reduction and functional recovery by 3 months, offering benchmark timelines for return to driving and work.
In 1,585 conservatively treated distal radius fractures, first-week radiographic changes—especially volar tilt—predicted stabilization timing better than baseline measurements, potentially allowing reduced follow-up imaging.
A 2025 POSNA survey shows a dramatic rise in removable splint use for pediatric distal radius and fibula fractures since 2015, with family preference and compliance concerns as main barriers.
In geriatric distal radius fractures, volar locked plating gave modestly better ROM, grip strength, and PROMIS scores with fewer malunions/nonunions/tendon ruptures than dorsal bridge plating, though clinical differences were small.
Distal Radius Fracture Pattern Correlates with Pronator Quadratus Injury Severity.
In 148 distal radius fractures, dorsal angulation and greater dorsal translation correlated with more severe pronator quadratus muscle injury, while partial-articular and volarly angulated fractures were protective.
CT analysis of 100 wrists identified two distinct volar rim anatomic patterns, with a subset showing minimal distance between the watershed line and joint surface that raises risk of intra-articular screw penetration during volar plating.
Untreated ulnar styloid fractures do not compromise wrist function or grip strength in patients with distal radius fractures at medium to long-term follow-up.
Anomalous Flexor Carpi Radialis Anatomy During Volar Distal Radius Approach: Two Case Reports.
Rare flexor carpi radialis anatomical variants substantially alter expected volar distal radius approach anatomy and increase neurovascular injury risk; recognition is essential for safe exposure.
Volar open wedge osteotomy reliably restores radiocarpal stability in volar marginal fragment escape with improved wrist motion and functional scores.
CT analysis shows distal radius curvature, size, and bone density are greater in men and younger patients, suggesting young male donor grafts are optimal for glenoid allograft reconstruction.
Distal Radial Fracture as an Early Marker of Bone Fragility: A Population-Based Study in Japan.
In this large Japanese cohort, distal radial fractures were linked to higher subsequent hip fracture rates but not truly worse mortality, suggesting they signal a key opportunity to start osteoporosis treatment before more severe fractures occur.
In cadavers, dorsal radiocarpal arthrotomy visualized more distal radius articular surface than volar (77.3% vs 63.7%), though volar approach better exposed the volar rim—useful for planning exposure based on fracture pattern.
Survey of ASSH hand surgeons found treatment preferences for geriatric distal radius fractures often favor surgery despite AAOS guidelines recommending nonsurgical care, revealing a practice-guideline gap.
Radiographic Risk Factors for Flexor Tendon Ruptures Following Distal Radius Volar Plating.
Excessive lateral carpal alignment (CARD >4.9mm) was the strongest predictor of flexor tendon rupture after volar plating, so correcting carpal alignment intraoperatively may reduce this risk when the plate is prominent.
In this retrospective study of elderly distal radius fractures, dorsal bridge plating produced radiographic outcomes comparable to volar locking plating, supporting it as a viable fixation option in select older patients.
Disadvantaged patients (uninsured/Medicaid, higher social vulnerability) were less likely to attend formal hand therapy after operative distal radius fracture, but skipping therapy did not worsen short-term PROMIS scores, wrist motion, or complications, supporting home stretching instructions as an acceptable alternative for most patients.
In cadaveric distal radius fixation, using the Dorsal Subchondral Arc Line to size volar locking screws prevented dorsal cortex penetration while matching the stiffness and strength of bicortical screws.
Patients with opioid-related disorder had significantly higher ED visits, hospitalizations, PT evaluations, and opioid prescriptions after distal radius fracture repair than matched non-ORD patients.
Matched-cohort analysis found cerebral palsy patients undergoing distal radius ORIF had markedly higher 90-day complication rates, but no difference in 5-year reoperation risk.
RCT found ultrasound-guided supracondylar radial nerve block gave better pain control than hematoma block during distal radius fracture reduction, with no difference in reduction quality.
In patients over 65 with distal radius fractures treated with volar locking plates, second metacarpal cortical percentage (a bone density surrogate) did not predict loss of reduction—screw positioning and fracture severity mattered more.
Can Artificial Intelligence Assess Distal Radius Fracture Stability?
AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Claude) showed only fair-to-moderate agreement with hand surgeons in classifying distal radius fracture stability, and are not yet reliable for clinical triage.
This scoping review of WRIST trial data finds no single best treatment for elderly distal radius fractures, supporting shared decision-making based on patient goals and lifestyle.
EVALUATION OF HEALED COLLESʼ FRACTURES
In this classic study, inadequate initial reduction and immobilization of Colles' fractures often left residual deformity, yet wrist function still compensated well in most patients despite nearly a third having unsatisfactory outcomes.
The Epidemiology of Distal Radius Fractures
Overview of distal radius fracture epidemiology notes rising incidence in both pediatric and elderly populations over recent decades, informing prevention efforts.
Volar fixed-angle plate fixation of unstable distal radius fractures achieves 100% union with 27% complication rate; flexor/extensor tendon irritation most common problem.
Volar fixation for dorsally displaced fractures of the distal radius: A preliminary report
Volar plating for dorsally displaced distal radius fractures achieves excellent radiographic alignment and functional outcomes while preserving dorsal soft tissues.
Factors affecting functional outcome of displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures
Displacement, articular step-off, and comminution are key factors affecting functional outcomes after intra-articular distal radius fractures.
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