Distal Radius: Management of Complicated Fracture Patterns and Revision Surgery Saturday, October 17 Sat, Oct 17 8:00-9:30 a.m. CDT

Fractures of the distal radius remain among the most common injuries encountered by plastic and hand surgeons, yet complex fracture patterns and failed primary fixation continue to present significant reconstructive challenges. This 90-minute session will provide a comprehensive, case-based review of advanced strategies for managing complicated distal radius fractures and performing successful revision surgery.

Expert faculty will discuss decision-making in high-energy, comminuted, intra-articular, and osteoporotic fractures, as well as approaches to malunion, nonunion, hardware failure, post-traumatic arthritis, and soft-tissue compromise. Emphasis will be placed on preoperative planning, selection of fixation and adjunctive techniques, management of associated ligamentous and soft-tissue injuries, and avoidance of common pitfalls.

Through interactive case discussions and evidence-based pearls, attendees will gain practical insights into optimizing outcomes in challenging primary and revision settings. This session is designed for plastic surgeons, hand surgeons, and trainees seeking to refine their approach to complex distal radius pathology and improve functional results for their patients.

Upon completion of this learning activity, participants should be able to:

1. Identify complex distal radius fracture patterns that are at high risk for failure with standard fixation techniques.

2. Formulate evidence-based treatment strategies for high-energy, comminuted, intra-articular, and osteoporotic distal radius fractures.

3. Develop a systematic approach to evaluating and managing complications following distal radius fracture fixation, including malunion, nonunion, hardware failure, and post-traumatic arthritis.

4. Apply advanced surgical techniques for revision distal radius surgery, including corrective osteotomy, fixation options, bone grafting, and soft-tissue management.

5. Recognize common technical pitfalls and postoperative challenges in both primary and revision distal radius fracture care and implement strategies to optimize functional outcomes.