Functional Outcome Following Fracture of the Distal Radius

"The wires are passed through the skin over the dorsal aspect of the distal radius and into the bone in order to hold the fracture in the correct (anatomical) position. The size and number of wires, the insertion technique and the configuration of wires will be left entirely to the discretion of the surgeon.~A plaster cast will be applied at the end of the procedure to supplement the wire fixation as per standard surgical practice. This cast holds the wrist still and is left on until the wires are removed at the follow-up appointment."

The locking-plate is applied through an incision over the volar (palm) aspect of the wrist. The surgical approach, the type of plate and the number and configuration of screws will be left to the discretion of the surgeon. The screws in the distal portion of the bone will be fixed-angle, i.e. screwed into the plate, but this is standard technique for use of these plates. The type of proximal screw will be left to the discretion of the surgeon; these may be locking or non-locking screws. The use of a cast will left to the discretion of the surgeon.