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Distal Radius Fractures
Updated: Sep 24 2021

Distal Radius Fracture Spanning External Fixator

Preoperative Patient Care
Operative Techniques
E

Preoperative Plan

1

Identify fracture characteristics

  • distal radius fracture pattern
  • bone quality
  • DRUJ disruption
  • amount of comminution
  • presence of intra-articular extension(s)

2

Execute surgical walkthrough

  • describe key steps of the procedure to the attending verbally prior to the start of the case
  • describe potential complications and steps to avoid them
F

Room Preparation

1

Surgical instrumentation

  • spanning external fixator set

2

Room setup and equipment

  • setup OR with standard operating table and radiolucent hand table
  • turn table 90° so that operative extremity points away from anesthesia machines
  • c-arm perpendicular to hand table with monitor in surgeon's direct line of site

3

Patient positioning

  • supine with shoulder at edge of bed centered at level of patient’s shoulder
  • hand centered on hand table, supinate arm
  • arm tourniquet placed on arm with webril underneath (optional)
G

Closed Reduction

1

Perform reduction

  • use manipulation with traction and countertraction
  • shake hand of the manipulated wrist and manipulate wrist using three point bending principles
H

Proximal Fixator Pins

1

Locate pin placement

  • identify radius 10cm proximal to the radial styloid
  • can also be at least 5cm outside the zone of injury
  • look for the bare area that is located in the palpable interval between the brachioradialis and the ECRL muscles

2

Make small incisions at pin sites

  • be sure to protect the branches of the superficial radial and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves
  • damage to these nerves can cause a painful neuroma

3

Place proximal pins at a 45 degree angle to the long axis of the arm

  • place pins in the dorsal radial to ulnar volar direction
  • visualize the periosteum
  • drill holes
  • place half pins
  • use a fixator clamp after the placement of the first half pin to determine the placement of the second half pin

4

Check the placement and depth of the pins with fluoroscopy

I

Distal Fixator Pins

1

Identify Pin Placement

  • identify the bare area over the proximal third of the second metacarpal
  • palpate the bare area between the the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the extensor tendon to the index finger
  • place both pins in the proximal 60% of the metacarpal
  • this is to avoid encroaching on the metacarpophalangeal joint capsule

2

Place half pins

  • place the 3 mm half pins in the center of the metacarpal shaft
  • insert the fixator clamp to guide the placement of the distal pin

3

Check pin placement with fluoroscopy

  • be sure the threads of the half pins are fully threaded in the far cortex
J

External Fixator Assembly

1

Close skin without tension

  • use 3-0 nylon to close skin

2

Apply rod connectors

  • apply pin to rod connectors
  • place clamps one fingerbreadth away from skin
  • make sure thumb and wrist motion are not blocked

3

Connect rods

  • connect rod proximally first
  • secure the rod distally
  • place second rod to increase stiffness of overall frame

4

Check reduction with fluoroscopy

5

Lock clamps in place

6

Perform a final tightening

7

Dress Pin Sites

  • place petroleum gauze and bulky dressing
Postoperative Patient Care
Private Note