JBJS | Fractures of the Distal Aspect of the Radius: Changes in Treatment Over the Past Two Decades

The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, Volume 85, Issue 3

Instructional Course Lecture | March 01, 2003

Fractures of the Distal Aspect of the Radius: Changes in Treatment Over the Past Two Decades

Paul M. Simic, MD; Andrew J. Weiland, MD

The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. 2003; 85:552-564

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Treatment of displaced fractures of the distal end of the radius has changed over the course of time. In the past, closed reduction with immobilization in a plaster cast was considered the treatment of choice. Dr. Abraham Colles, in reference to fractures of the distal aspect of the radius, stated: "One consolation only remains, that the limb will at some remote period again enjoy perfect freedom in all its motions, and be completely exempt from pain; the deformity, however, will remain undiminished throughout life." ¹ In 1814, when Dr. Colles described the fracture, there was no anesthesia (1846), no aseptic surgery (1865), no radiography (1895), no electricity (1879), and James Madison was the fourth President of the United States. Other great physicians of this early period thought of fractures of the distal part of the radius as rather straightforward injuries with a relatively good prognosis despite the method of treatment. But, as with other great men and their perceptions, they could be wrong.

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Topics

fracture ; radius ; external fixation devices ; wrist ; kirschner wires

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