Radiographs will demonstrate whether the injury involves a concomitant fracture of the dorsal base of the distal phalanx. The extent of injury dictates the most appropriate treatment (Figure 3).

BOSTON — Infection and nonunion are uncommon in the treatment of open distal radius fractures regardless of fixation type or time to debridement, according to a study presented here.

A broken wrist or distal radius fracture is an extremely common type of fracture. It accounts for 25% to 50% of all broken bones and is most commonly seen in older females and young males.