Complications of operatively treated distal radial fractures.

Distal radial fractures represent the most common fractures of the upper extremity. Operative treatment is performed for approximately one-third of distal radial fractures in the adult population. Complications following operative treatment of distal radial fractures vary depending on the treatment modality and can be stratified into preoperative and postoperative complications. Complications can occur in the near, intermediate and long term. The most common complications seen are tendon irritation and rupture, chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS), carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar or radial neuropathy, compartment syndrome, malunion, inadequate fixation or loss of fixation, symptomatic hardware, post-traumatic arthritis, stiffness and infection. Careful planning, treatment and patient selection can help to mitigate these complications.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Dr Shin: (1) Editor in Chief, Techniques in Hand and Upper Extremity; (2) Royalties: Trimed orthopedics/Mayo medical ventures. Dr Pulos and Dr Townsley have no conflicting interests for this article.