The wrist as a joint

The wrist is complex. It possesses very diverse elements in interaction, which -sayed to thick stroke- must be perfectly 'aligned'. If an operation fails to maintain this harmony, it generates a serious problem, especially when we are faced with consolidated situations several months after the initial intervention.

However, the best way for readers to understand the scope of what we are proposing is by briefly presenting a real clinical case and, especially, by showing graphic material of the previous damage, the diagnosis and the subsequent result.

Preparation: The patient is positioned so that the surgeon has access to the palm side of the forearm. The area is cleaned and sterilized, and anesthesia is administered.

Access to Fracture: The doctor creates an incision along the palm side of the forearm to access the end of the radius. The broken bones are carefully realigned.

Radius Stabilization: A metal plate shaped to fit the contours of the radius is inserted and placed against the bone. Screws are used to anchor the plate to the bone, stabilizing the radius.

End of procedure and post-treatment: The incision is closed with sutures, and the arm is bandaged and placed in a splint. The patient will go home the same day. The patient may be placed in a cast or a removable support after the swelling from the surgery subsides. Hand therapy is usually required.

Fractures of the distal radius can range from simple, clean breaks to severe fractures with multiple bone fragments. Treatment options, which vary depending on the type of injury, are designed to keep the broken radius in its proper position while it heals. If the ends of the fracture are out of alignment, the doctor may need to perform a procedure called closed reduction to realign them. Bones may be stabilized with a cast, splint, or brace that may cover only the wrist and forearm or may extend above the elbow. If the bones cannot be realigned with this method, the surgery will.