Managing the unknowns in distal radial fractures: commentary and opinion.

This article discusses the management of distal radial fractures (DRF) and the unanswered questions surrounding their treatment. It highlights the increasing use of anterior locking plating (ALP) for DRFs and emphasizes the importance of understanding fracture anatomy and the limitations of ALP. The article also explores the use of ALP in corrective osteotomies without bone graft and the need for further research in this area. Additionally, it examines the advantages and nuances of operative versus non-operative treatment for DRFs, including the duration of sick leave and long-term outcomes. The study concludes that while short-term outcomes may be improved with ALP, the number of sick days was higher in the operatively treated group. Furthermore, long-term outcomes for DRFs were generally good, regardless of radiological outcomes, but the likelihood of a malunion becoming symptomatic remains unclear. The article suggests that future studies should consider the overall alignment of the wrist to determine the relationship between alignment and outcome in all populations. [Extracted from the article]