Overview
This is the most common fracture of the wrist that generally occurs with a fall. The injury causes pain and swelling over the wrist often accompanied by loss of movement of the wrist. We use xrays to determine how bad the break is and if surgery is absolutely necessary. Many of these can be managed with immobilization and close follow up. Those that need surgery will be fixated with a plate and screws.
Dr. Anup Patel Advantage
Dr. Anup Patel has published his surgical technique with a video to show patients how he treats these using a combination of orthopedic surgery to fix the bone and plastic surgery to close the skin.
Here is how we treat Distal Radial Fractures in the Operating Room.
You get the best of both worlds: faster recovery with minimal scarring. Do not take our word for it, but see our patient examples accompanied by testimonials.
Symptoms
- Pain and swelling over the wrist
- Loss of motion of the wrist and fingers
Causes
- Trauma
Treatments
Non-Surgical
- Splinting/Casting for 4-6 weeks
Surgical
- Open reduction and internal fixation with screws and a plate
Patient Examples
Patient 1
68 year old, former basketball player and wife of NBA player presents with a fall on the road sustaining a distal radius fracture with a complete dislocation of the wrist. Patient has regained full range of motion with minimal scar in 2 months.
Patient 2
55 year old, swimming instructor presents with distal radius fracture after having an auto accident. Patient has regained full range of motion with minimal scar in 2 months.
Patient 3
65 year old artist who presents with a fall on a sidewalk sustaining a distal radius and shaft fracture requiring extensive plating. Patient has regained full range of motion with minimal scar in 2 months.
Patient 4
45 year old doctor who presents with a bicycle crash sustaining a distal radius fracture. Patient has regained full range of motion with minimal scar in 2 months.
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Dr. Anup Patel
Dr. Anup Patel is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon trained in aesthetic, hand/upper extremity and reconstructive surgery. He completed his plastic and reconstructive surgery training at the premier Yale University followed by a hand and microsurgery fellowship at the New York University Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Mount Sinai Department of Orthopedics. Dr. Patel received his MD and MBA from the Yale University School of Medicine and Yale University School of Management, respectively. He graduated as the valedictorian of his class at the University of Florida majoring in economics, biochemistry and molecular genetics and valedictorian of his high-school class at Lake Highland.
