1 Preliminary remarks top
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Fracture assessment
These are complete articular fractures with both simple articular and metaphyseal components. They may involve a dorsomedial articular fragment, or a sagittal or frontal articular fracture line.
As these are intraarticular fractures, they should be treated with anatomic reduction and absolute stability to minimize the risk of subsequent degenerative changes in the joint.
Anatomical reduction and stabilization of these fractures are also essential because of the functional implications of the involvement of the distal radioulnar joint.
Indications
As these are intraarticular fractures, even if a reasonable reduction is achieved initially, it is very difficult to maintain this with a cast alone. K-wires are usually required to maintain articular congruity.
2 Associated injuries top
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Median nerve decompression
If there is dense sensory loss, or other signs of median nerve compression, the median nerve should be decompressed.
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Associated carpal injuries
These injuries may be associated with shearing injuries of the articular cartilage, scaphoid fracture and rupture of the scapholunate ligament (SL). Every patient should be assessed for this injury. If present, see carpal bones of the Hand module.
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DRUJ/ ulnar injuries
These injuries may be accompanied by avulsion of the ulnar styloid and/or disruption of the DRUJ. If there is gross instability after the fixation of the radial fracture, it is recommended that the styloid and/or the triangular fibrocartilaginous disc (TFC) is reattached.
3 Closed reduction top
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Traction
Closed reduction can be performed with or without continuous finger traction via Chinese finger traps.
While in traction, gentle digital pressure over the displaced fragment can aid with reduction.
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Manual reduction
Reduction is achieved by applying longitudinal traction manually and digital pressure over specific fragments.
4 K-wire insertion top
Preliminary remark
There are numerous techniques of K-wire fixation (e.g., two wires, three wires, Kapandji-technique) for fractures of the distal radius.
We describe a technique using four K-wires. Three are introduced from the tip of the radial styloid, one from the dorsoulnar aspect.
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Insert the first K-wire
First, a 1 cm incision is made over the tip of the radial styloid. The radial styloid is exposed by blunt dissection and great care is taken not to injure the superficial branch of the radial nerve or the tendons of the first and third extensor compartments.
The drill guide is introduced between the tips of the soft-tissue spreader.
After checking reduction and anticipated direction of the K-wire using image intensification, the K-wire is introduced carefully with a power drill.
The K-wire should just penetrate the opposite cortex of the radial shaft.
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Second K-wire
A second K-wire is introduced through the radial styloid in a similar manner, but in a divergent direction.
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Third K-wire
The dorsal lunate facet fragment is reduced using a pointed awl and held in place with a pointed reduction clamp.
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A third K-wire is then introduced transversely from the radial styloid into the lunate facet.
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Fourth K-wire: insertion from the dorsoulnar aspect
A second incision is made between the fourth and fifth extensor compartments. Blunt dissection to the bone is carried out.
The fourth compartment is displaced radially by the pressure of the thumb, which enables precise K-wire positioning into the dorsoulnar corner of the lunate facet.
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Under image intensifier control, the fourth K-wire is introduced from the dorsoulnar rim of the radius into the anterior cortex of the radial shaft.
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Cut and bend K-wires
The ends of the wires should be cut and bent.
The ends may be left underneath the skin, to reduce the possibility of pin-track infection.
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Pitfall: K-wire crossing
The K-Wires should not cross at one point at the fracture level.
5 Cast application top
For more details on casting techniques, see nonoperative treatment options.
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A well-padded cast is applied.
One option to consider is creating windows in the cast directly over the pin sites.
Because the reduction is stabilized with K-wires, a below elbow cast is preferred, and molding is less critical.
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Alternative: Splint
As an alternative to a cast, a removable splint may be used. This gives access for skin care, but requires greater patient compliance.
A well-padded splint is applied on the palmar side, to avoid pressure over the K-wires.
It is imperative that the splint permit full digital motion, especially metacarpophalangeal flexion.