The operative treatment of intraarticular fractures of the distal radius

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Jupiter JB. Lipton H. Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Clin Orthop. (292):48-61, 1993 Jul. Surgical management of 13 complex intraarticular (pilon) fractures of the distal radius was remarkably effective. Most of the fractures were the result of high-energy impact, with associated soft-tissue trauma in seven cases. The preoperative planning, fracture classification, surgical tactics, and results are presented in detail. Only three patients had any residual functional problems. Follow-up motion showed wrist dorsiflexion/palmar flexion to be 74% of the opposite side, and grip strength was 76% of the opposite side. Twelve of the 13 patients showed no roentgenographic evidence of posttraumatic arthritis at an average follow-up period of 2.5 years. [References: 41]