The Roger Anderson device in the treatment of fractures of the distal end of the radius.

One of the more common as well as difficult fractures to manage is the extension compression fracture of the distal end of the radius. In the physiologically younger patient we believe that every effort should be made to preserve the integrity of the radiocarpal joint and maintain motion of the hand. We have used the technique described by Anderson and O'Neil to treat comminuted, displaced fractures of the distal end of the radius in twenty-five patients from April 1972 through April 1978. Twenty-one of these patients were available for follow-up examination at an average of nineteen months (range, six to forty months) following injury. There were sixteen satisfactory and five unsatisfactory functional results, and three complications. This form of external fixation should be avoided in the older, obese, and osteoporotic patient as well as in the unreliable and uncooperative patient. If these guidelines are followed, we believe that the Roger Anderson device provides satisfactory immobilization and functional results in the treatment of comminuted fractures of the distal end of the radius in the physiologically younger patient, who may be expected to place heavy demands on the wrist.