Classification

The radius can break in different places: The common distal radius fracture can be divided into two forms depending on the cause of the injury: Children are particularly often affected, as they often tend to fall when playing. Older people also frequently suffer a radius fracture, since the risk of falls increases with age. Depending on how stable the fracture is, it can be treated with a short-term immobilization with a plaster cast, or surgical stabilization may be necessary.

In addition, the function of the wrist and forearm is repaired by specific physiotherapy.The prognosis is of course dependent on the extent of the injury and possible concomitant diseases, but is generally good, especially in children.

Most often it breaks near the wrist, then it is called a distal radius fracture, which is the most common fracture in humans.
At the level of the elbow the radius breaks rather rarely.
What can occur is a fracture of the radial head. The radial head forms with the elbows and is particularly important for rotational movements of the forearm. If the patient falls, e.g. onto the bent elbow, the radial head may break.

The so-called extension fracture (Colles), where one falls on the extended hand.
The flexion fracture (Smith), in which one falls on the bent, angled hand.

Operation

Surgery is indicated in the case of an unstable radius fracture. An open fracture or comminuted fractures must also be treated surgically. There are several surgical procedures to stabilize the fracture after reduction:

Wires may be used (Kirschner wires), or the fracture may be additionally fixed with screws.
This is especially the case if individual fragments are very unstable. After an operation, only a relatively short immobilization of 2-4 weeks is often necessary, after which physiotherapy can be started immediately. The wires are usually removed after 1-3 more weeks.
In case of complicated injuries or after a failed conservative therapy, plate osteosynthesis and cancellous bone grafting can also be performed.
This is a strong fixation.
In the case of comminuted fractures, as mentioned above, an external fixator can be used, which is screwed through the skin from the outside and fixes the individual fragments. After successful surgery, the fracture is immobilized. If it is sufficiently stable, physiotherapy can be started. After a few weeks, the fixation material can be removed, usually under local anesthesia.