[Current treatment of distal radius fractures].

Most fractures of the distal radius are treated with closed reduction and casting. Locking plates are the most common method of fixation. In young persons and in elderly persons with functional activity above that of their age level, a <10 degrees dorsal or <20 degrees volar angle of tilt, a radial shortening of <2 mm, a radial inclination of >15 degrees and an intra-articular step-off or gap of <1 to 2 mm are regarded as an acceptable limit of position of the radius. In persons over 65 years of age the functioning of the hand can usually be restored with casting.