Pre-operative assessment in distal radius fractures

The determinants of clinical outcome following distal radial fracture are multi-factorial and may provide several challenges to the treating surgeon. These can be considered under the following headings: patient history including medical co-morbidities, functional demands and injury history; examination findings including the condition of the soft tissue envelope and neurological status; radiographic parameters including fracture characteristics, articular involvement, stability features and associated injuries to the ulna or carpus. Finally, classification of the injury may aid treatment selection and prognostic prediction. With vigilant pre-operative planning, the surgeon can ensure the best outcome for an individual patient. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.