Gaps and Opportunities in Various Aspects and Treatment/Management of Distal Radius Fractures

Abstract

Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are the most common type of fracture presented in hospitals, clinics, orthopaedic centers, and trauma practices all over the world. Thus, there is a very large body of literature on the many aspects of DRFs, particularly, nonsurgical and surgical treatment/management modalities. The present contribution has two focus areas. The first is a summary of many aspects of DRF on which there is controversy or inadequate coverage. As a consequence of this summary, the second focus is detailed expositions on opportunities for future work in nine areas. Results from some of this future work may aid selection of treatment/management modality for a specified patient-fracture pattern combination; for example, detailed cost-utility analyses of candidate modalities. Results from other future studies may translate to improved patient outcomes; for example, further studies on the photodynamic bone stabilization system for intramedullary fixation of fractures.