Wrist Fractures: Fixation of Radial Styloid Process Fractures With a Plate Animation

Wrist Fractures: Fixation of Radial Styloid Process Fractures With a Plate Animation

This animated video will provide a surgical demonstration for treating a radial styloid process wrist fracture utilizing a plate and screws. The wrist joint comprises the ends of 2 bones in the forearm, called the radius and ulna, and a row of small bones called carpal bones. Wrist fractures most commonly impact the end of the radius and are referred to as distal radius fractures.

The radial styloid process is a bony projection at the end of the radius that may be fractured during a wrist injury. Given its role in the overall alignment of the wrist joint, it is important to restore its position if a fracture disrupts its alignment. Here is a left hand. An incision will be made overlying the thumb side of the wrist. A temporary wire will be inserted in the radial styloid to place it back into the appropriate alignment.

Then a plate will be inserted over the wire and through the incision, resting on the outer side of the radius. Once in place, a drill guide and drill will be used in the oblong hole to make a path for an incoming screw. Once the hole is drilled, it will be measured, and the appropriate-sized screw will be inserted to contour the plate to the bone. Then a different type of drill guide is used for a type of screw called a locking screw.

These screws have threads that engage with the threads in the plate, which provides more stability, preventing movement. Once the hole is drilled, the locking screw will be placed. Additional locking screws will be placed in the same manner in additional holes. The temporary wire will then be removed. The final screw will then be placed. If there are other fractures, additional supporting implants may be needed and added.

Once the implants are placed and the fractures are stabilized, the alignment will be confirmed on x-ray. The incisions will then be closed, and the surgery is complete.