Complications that may occur in distal radius fractures as a result of surgical treatment

Distal radius fractures are among the mostly seen orthopaedic traumas and constitute nearly 20% of cases applying to the emergency. In case segmental and unstable fractures seen on the surface of joint not appropriately treated, serious complications occur. In selection of the applied treatment methods, patient’s , job, functional status and daily activities play an important role for the patients with distal radius fractures. In to chronological age, the physiological condition of the patient and general state of health should be carefully. Surgical treatment can be considered for young and active patients for better results. There is wide range of methods for surgical treatment and these are “Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, reduction and external fixation, Percutaneous pinning in addition to closed reduction and external fixation, in addition to closed reduction and external fixation, Closed reduction and external fixation and limited reduction-internal fixation and grafting, Arthroscopy-supported open reduction, Open reduction and internal (plate-screw)”. The complications that may occur following the surgical intervention are between 6-80%. complications stated in literature are loss of motion, delayed bonding, nonunion, nerve compression, pain , complications of fixation material, osteomyelitis, malunion, tendon ruptures, tenosynovitis, scar , radio ulnar synostosis, dupuytren’s contracture, arthritis, ligament injury. Today, radius distal fractures generally subjected to surgical treatment thanks to the development of orthopaedic surgery. It hasn’t been yet that surgical treatment is far superior to conservative treatment.