distal radius fractures

David Moss, MDSibley Memorial Hospital

Washington Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Wrist anatomy

Types of wrist fractures

Who gets wrist fractures?

Mechanism of injury

Presentation

Signs and symptoms

Typical course of treatment

Prevention

Who gets wrist fractures? Fall onto outstretched hand

Active & athletic

High energy

Elderly

Osteoporosis

One of the most common fractures seen in ER

Normal wrist x-ray

Splint or Cast

Closed reduction

Surgery

For unstable fractures

External fixation

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation – “ORIF"

“plates and screws”

External fixation

ORIF

Osteoporosis Definition: Bone Density

<1 SD of normal bone: normal

1-2.5 SD below normal: osteopenic

>2.5 SD below normal: osteoporotic

Based on DEXA scan of hip and spine

1/3 of white women > 65 years old

Bone health Maintain bone density

Medication & vitamins Bisphosphonates

Fosamax

Boniva

Alendronate

Zometa

Actonel

Calcium

1000-1200 mg/day

Vitamin D

Active lifestyle

Healthy diet

David Moss, MD

Washington Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, PA

5454 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 1000

301-657-1996