Emerging Technologies in Distal Radius Fracture Fixation

• Published in: Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 369 - 378
• Main Authors: Bachoura, Abdo, Shin, Eon K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 22.06.2019
• Subjects: Distal Radius and Wrist Fractures (E Shin; Distal Radius and Wrist Fractures (E Shin, Section Editor); Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Orthopedics; Rehabilitation Medicine; Section Editor; Sports Medicine; Surgery; Surgical Orthopedics; Topical Collection on Distal Radius and Wrist Fractures; Internal fixation; Bone graft; Distal radius fracture
• ISSN: 1935-973X; 1935-9748; 1935-9748
• DOI: 10.1007/s12178-019-09568-0

Purpose of Review To provide an overview of emerging fixation constructs and materials used in the operative management of distal radius fractures. Recent Findings The indications, advantages, and disadvantages of relatively new implants and devices used to treat distal radius fractures are discussed. These include the intramedullary nail, intramedullary cage, radiolucent volar locking plate, distal radius hemiarthroplasty, and bone graft substitutes. Summary The spectrum of distal radius fracture patterns may make it impossible to depend on a single device for fixation, and surgeons managing distal radius fractures should be adept at using various surgical approaches, techniques, and hardware systems. Additional studies demonstrating the cost-effectiveness, biomechanical properties, and clinical outcomes will be useful in determining the utility of the described techniques.