[Surgical indications and choice of procedure in distal radius fractures--wire, plates, external fixation].

The treatment of the typical fracture of the radius is predominantly conservative. Unstable fractures, bending fractures and open fractures will receive operative treatment. Hereby Kirschner wires, blade plates and screws are applied for osteosynthesis. Heavy comminuted fractures were stabilized, besides by minimal osteosynthesis, by a mini-external fixation unit. The results of operative treatment in the Unfallchirurgische Klinik Giessen were in 50% excellent and good, in 38% satisfactory and in 12% bad. The main complications were disturbances of sensibility in the area of the superficial branch of the radial nerve.