The Evolution of the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures How We Got to Now.

Distal radius fractures are one of the most common fractures in adults and historically have frequently led to significant disability. Originally described over 5,000 years ago, until recently these fractures were almost exclusively treated by closed methods. Since the introduction of osteosynthesis in 1907, followed by the founding of the AO in 1958, and more recently the development of the volar locked plate in the early 2000s, over the past century the surgical treatment of these fractures has evolved greatly. While technological advancements have changed management for specific fracture patterns, closed treatment still has an important role and is definitive for many patients. The following review provides a historical perspective for current treatment strategies as well as an overview of the important factors that must be considered when treating patients with these injuries.

Focus on POCUS Point of Care Ultrasound in the Upper Extremity.

Ultrasound technologies are infrequently utilized in orthopedics as a first line diagnostic method, however, advances in technology and the applied techniques have opened the door for how and when ultrasound can be used. One specific avenue is the use of point of care ultrasound in which ultrasound is used at the time of initial patient evaluation by the evaluating physician. This use expedites time to diagnosis and can even guide therapeutic interventions. In the past two decades there have been numerous studies demonstrating the effectiveness of ultrasound for the diagnosis of many orthopedic conditions in the upper extremity, often demonstrating that it can be used in the place of and with greater diagnostic accuracy than magnetic resonance imaging. This review elaborates on these topics and lays a groundwork for how to incorporate point of care ultrasound into a modern orthopedic practice.

A Comparison of Outcomes in Acute Perilunate Injuries: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Treatment Approaches.

BACKGROUND: Perilunate dislocations (PLD) and fracture-dislocations (PLFD) comprise a spectrum of high-energy wrist injuries. The purpose of this review was to review operative strategies for perilunate injuries based on approach and compare outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review of literature on PLD and fracture-dislocations was carried out according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). PubMed and EMBASE databases were queried for literature. Inclusion criteria included English studies reporting clinical or functional outcomes of acute PLD and PLFD. RESULTS: Twenty-nine full-text articles (604 PLD and PLFD injuries) were included. The most common method of PLD and PLFD fixation is through an open approach with combined volar and dorsal exposure. There were no differences between approaches with regard to total arc range of motion, grip strength, Mayo Wrist Score, or mean scapholunate angle. Similarly, there was no difference between approaches and postoperative radiographic arthritis or complications. Most patients were able to return to their prior level of function and work. The incidence of postoperative complications ranged from 0% to 22.5%. CONCLUSION: Current evidence shows no difference in postoperative total wrist arc range of motion, grip strength (as compared to contralateral), or Mayo Wrist Score with regard to surgical approach. The most common method of PLD and PLFD fixation in the literature is through an open approach with combined volar and dorsal exposure. There is a large difference in reported rates of radiographic arthritis, although this finding does not appear to correlate with postoperative pain or disability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I, Systematic Review.

Pronator syndrome and anterior interosseous nerve palsy due to neurolymphomatosis: a case report.

Pronator syndrome is a median nerve entrapment neuropathy that can be difficult to diagnose due to its variable presentation and objective findings. Neurolymphomatosis is an uncommon disease in which malignant lymphocytes infiltrate central or peripheral nerve endoneurium and is often missed for prolonged periods prior to diagnosis. We present a rare case of pronator syndrome and anterior interosseous nerve palsy due to neurolymphomatosis that was occult on initial MRI in spite of the presence of a median nerve mass discovered intra-operatively during neurolysis. This case demonstrates the value of ultrasound for the examination of peripheral nerve pathology and illustrates its utility as an adjunct to MRI, in part due to the ability to screen a large region.

The Effect of Surgical Timing on Upper Extremity Nerve Repair.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between timing of nerve repair and the ability to perform a primary nerve repair versus a bridge repair requiring the use of allograft, autograft, or a conduit in lacerated upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries. METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study of patients who underwent upper extremity nerve repair for lacerated peripheral nerves identified by Current Procedural Terminology codes. Timing of injury and surgery, as well as other information such as demographic information, mechanism of injury, site of injury, and type of nerve repair, was recorded. The odds of a patient requiring bridge repair based on the duration of time between injury and surgery was evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 403 nerves in 335 patients (mean age 35.87 ± 15.33 years) were included. In all, 241 nerves were primarily repaired and 162 required bridge repair. Patients requiring bridge repair had a greater duration between injury and surgery compared with patients who underwent primary repair. Furthermore, the nerves requiring bridge repair were associated with a greater gap compared with the nerves repaired primarily. Based on logistic regression, each 1-day increase in duration between injury and surgery was associated with a 3% increase in the odds of requiring bridge repair. CONCLUSIONS: There is no defined critical window to achieve a primary nerve repair following injury. This study demonstrated that nerve injuries requiring bridge repair were associated with a significantly greater delay to surgery.

Brachial Plexus Nerve Injuries and Disorders: MR Imaging-Ultrasound Correlation.

Multimodality imaging of the brachial plexus is essential to accurately localize the lesion and characterize the pathology and site of injury. A combination of computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and MR imaging is useful along with clinical and nerve conduction studies. Ultrasound and MR imaging in combination are effective to accurately localize the pathology in most of the cases. Accurate reporting of the pathology with dedicated MR imaging protocols in conjunction with Doppler ultrasound and dynamic imaging provides practical and useful information to help the referring physicians and surgeons to optimize medical or surgical treatment regimens.

The presence of 3D printing in orthopedics: A clinical and material review.

The field of additive manufacturing, 3D printing (3DP), has experienced an exponential growth over the past four decades, in part due to increased accessibility. Developments including computer-aided design and manufacturing, incorporation of more versatile materials, and improved printing techniques/equipment have stimulated growth of 3DP technologies within various industries, but most specifically the medical field. Alternatives to metals including ceramics and polymers have been garnering popularity due to their resorbable properties and physiologic similarity to extracellular matrix. 3DP has the capacity to utilize an assortment of materials and printing techniques for a multitude of indications, each with their own associated benefits. Within the field of medicine, advances in medical imaging have facilitated the integration of 3DP. In particular, the field of orthopedics has been one of the earliest medical specialties to implement 3DP. Current indications include education for patients, providers, and trainees, in addition to surgical planning. Moreover, further possibilities within orthopedic surgery continue to be explored, including the development of patient-specific implants. This review aims to highlight the use of current 3DP technology and materials by the orthopedic community, and includes comments on current trends and future direction(s) within the field.

Iliac Crest and Distal Radius Autografts Exhibit Distinct Cell-Intrinsic Functional Differences.

PURPOSE: Autologous bone grafts demonstrate osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and osteogenic properties. Hand surgeons commonly augment surgical fixation with autografts to promote fracture healing. This study compared the intrinsic stem cell-like properties of 2 commonly used autograft sources in hand surgery: the iliac crest and distal radius. METHODS: A total of 9 subjects who received an iliac crest bone graft and distal radius bone graft harvest as a part of the standard care of distal radius malunion or nonunion correction or scaphoid nonunion open reduction and internal fixation were enrolled in the study. Cells were isolated by serial collagenase digestion and subjected to fibroblast colony-forming units, osteogenesis, and adipogenesis assays. The expression levels of genes involved in osteogenesis and adipogenesis were confirmed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The cells isolated from the iliac crest bone graft compared with those isolated from the distal radius bone graft demonstrated significantly higher mean fibroblast colony-forming unit efficiency; increased osteogenesis, as measured using alizarin red quantification; increased adipogenesis, as measured using oil red O quantification; and higher expression levels of genes involved in osteogenesis and adipogenesis under the respective differentiation conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The cells isolated from the iliac crest bone graft demonstrated a higher fibroblast colony-forming unit capacity and an increased capability to undergo both osteogenesis and adipogenesis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Limited evidence exists comparing the intrinsic stem cell-like properties of the iliac crest and distal radius despite the widespread use of each source in hand and wrist surgery. The information from this investigation may assist hand and wrist surgeons with the selection of a source of autograft.

Demographics of Common Compressive Neuropathies in the Upper Extremity.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the demographic differences of the most common peripheral nerve compressions in the upper extremity-carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), ulnar nerve compression (UNC) at the elbow, combined CTS and UNC, radial tunnel syndrome (RTS), and posterior interosseous nerve syndrome (PINS)-as a means to better understand the etiologies of each. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients over the age of 18 years seen at our institution in the 2018 calendar year. International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes were used to identify patients with diagnoses of upper extremity peripheral nerve compressions. Demographic details and relevant comorbidities were recorded for each patient and compared with controls, who were seen the same calendar year with no neuropathies. χ2 analyses, independent-samples t tests, and multivariate logistic regressions were performed (P < .05). RESULTS: A total of 7448 patients were identified. Those with CTS were mainly women, former smokers, and diabetic (all P < .001) and with a greater average body mass index (BMI) (P = .006) than controls. Patients with UNC were more often men and younger when compared with controls (both P < .001). A history of smoking, diabetes, and average BMI were similar between patients with UNC and controls (all P > .05). Those patients with combined CTS/UNC were mainly men, former smokers, and diabetic (all P < .001) when compared with controls. Patients with RTS/PINS were also mostly men (P = .007), diabetic (P = .042), and were more often current smokers (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The demographics of patients with various compressive neuropathies were not homogeneous, suggesting different etiologies.

The First Successful Combined Full Face and Bilateral Hand Transplant.

BACKGROUND: Vascularized composite allotransplantation has redefined the frontiers of plastic and reconstructive surgery. At the cutting edge of this evolving paradigm, the authors present the first successful combined full face and bilateral hand transplant. METHODS: A 21-year-old man presented for evaluation with sequelae of an 80 percent total body surface area burn injury sustained after a motor vehicle accident. The injury included full face and bilateral upper extremity composite tissue defects, resulting in reduced quality of life and loss of independence. Multidisciplinary evaluation confirmed eligibility for combined face and bilateral hand transplantation. The operative approach was validated through 11 cadaveric rehearsals utilizing computerized surgical planning. Institutional review board and organ procurement organization approvals were obtained. The recipient, his caregiver, and the donor family consented to the procedure. RESULTS: Combined full face (i.e., eyelids, ears, nose, lips, and skeletal subunits) and bilateral hand transplantation (i.e., forearm level) was performed over 23 hours on August 12 to 13, 2020. Triple induction and maintenance immunosuppressive therapy and infection prophylaxis were administered. Plasmapheresis was necessary postoperatively. Minor revisions were performed over seven subsequent operations, including five left upper extremity, seven right upper extremity, and seven facial secondary procedures. At 8 months, the patient was approaching functional independence and remained free of acute rejection. He had significantly improved range of motion, motor power, and sensation of the face and hand allografts. CONCLUSIONS: Combined face and bilateral hand transplantation is feasible. This was the most comprehensive vascularized composite allotransplantation procedure successfully performed to date, marking a new milestone in plastic and reconstructive surgery for patients with otherwise irremediable injuries.

Penlight versus Smartphone: Diagnostic Efficacy of Transillumination.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of a smartphone flashlight to a conventional penlight with regards to transillumination of simulated soft tissue masses of the hand and wrist. Methods: Eight participants performed transillumination assessments in a fresh frozen cadaver upper extremity model. Spheres measuring 9.5 mm were used to simulate fluid-filled or solid soft tissue masses. Two spheres were placed on the volar aspect and two on the dorsal aspect of the wrist. These were then evaluated with either a smartphone flashlight or penlight. Participants noted whether each sphere did or did not transilluminate. Each participant performed two evaluations at an interval of 3 weeks. Results: The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the smartphone were 100%, 44% and 72%, respectively. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the penlight were 100%, 75% and 88%, respectively. The difference in accuracy between the smartphone group and penlight group was statistically significant (p = 0.029). The kappa value, indicating intra-observer agreement, for the smartphone group and penlight group was 0.76 and 0.76, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, transillumination with a penlight is a viable adjunct to the examination of soft tissue masses of the hand and wrist. The use of a smartphone flashlight, while convenient, is less accurate than a penlight and can lead the examiners to misinterpret the composition of soft tissue masses. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Diagnostic).

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release: Techniques, Controversies, and Comparison to Open Techniques.

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) continues to rise in popularity as a treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome. Numerous variations in technique and instrumentation currently exist, broadly classified into two-portal and single-portal techniques with antegrade and retrograde designs. ECTR is equally effective as open carpal tunnel release for alleviating symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome with no differences in long-term outcomes. ECTR has an increased risk of transient nerve injury, whereas open carpal tunnel release has an increased risk of wound and scar complications. ECTR has higher direct costs but is associated with earlier return to work. ECTR is a safe and effective approach to carpal tunnel release in the hands of experienced surgeons.

Posterior Shoulder Instability After Infraclavicular Block for Outpatient Hand Surgery.

Regional blocks are being increasingly utilized for anesthesia for various orthopedic procedures. Several studies have shown that regional anesthesia has fewer side effects and improved postoperative pain relief compared to general anesthesia, but regional blocks are not without risks. We present case reports of 2 patients who experienced posterior shoulder instability, one of whom had a posterior shoulder dislocation, immediately in the postanesthesia care unit after undergoing hand surgery with regional anesthesia. This paper highlights the importance of being aware that patients might be at increased risk of shoulder instability after upper extremity regional anesthesia, and appropriate perioperative precautions should be taken.

Telemedicine during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Hand Surgery Perspective.

Background: A major consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. healthcare system has been the rapid transition away from in-person healthcare visits to telehealth. This study analyzed patient and surgeon satisfaction in the utilization of telehealth within the hand surgery division during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: All hand surgery patients who completed a telemedicine visit from March 30th, 2020 through April 30th, 2020 completed a 14-question survey via e-mail. Hand surgeons who participated in telemedicine completed a separate 14-question survey. Survey results were presented descriptively (mean ± standard deviation) and patient factors influencing satisfaction were determined using univariate and multivariate proportional modeling. Results: 89 patients and five surgeons completed the surveys. Patients were very satisfied with their telemedicine visits (4.21/5.00 ± 0.89). Multivariate proportional modeling determined patients who found it "very easy" (5/5) to arrange telemedicine visits had greater satisfaction (OR = 4.928; 95% CI = 0.94 to 25.84) compared to those who found it "difficult" (2/5) (p = 0.059). Patients who believed they could ask/relay questions/concerns "extremely effectively" (5/5) had greater satisfaction (OR = 55.236; CI = 11.39 to 267.80) compared to those who asked/relayed questions only "slightly effective" to "moderately effectively" (p < 0.001). Surgeons were similarly satisfied with their telemedicine experience (4.00/5.00 ± 0.89) and were confident in their diagnoses (4.20/5.00 ± 0.84). All surgeons responded they will continue using telemedicine. 30.7% of patients would choose telemedicine over an inperson visit. Conclusions: Telemedicine provides a viable platform for healthcare delivery with high patient and surgeon satisfaction. Most patients still prefer in-person visits for the post-pandemic future.

Complex Region Pain Syndrome Following Shoulder Surgery.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes in patients with complex region pain syndrome (CRPS) following shoulder surgeries. METHODS: Three patients were diagnosed with CRPS according to the Budapest criteria. Patients were followed up prospectively at regular intervals for a minimum of 2 years. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, physical examination findings, treatment received, and outcomes were collected and reported. RESULTS: The minimum time interval between surgery and diagnosis was 3 weeks (average, 8 weeks). The index procedures included 2 arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs and 1 open Latarjet. Neurologic pain, muscle spasms, hand and wrist swelling, and joint stiffness were seen in the shoulder, wrist, and hand, but the elbow was spared in all patients. Despite the use of multimodal treatment modalities, the symptoms were refractory to treatment for prolonged periods (range, 6-12 months). Hand and wrist symptoms took an average of 4 months longer than shoulder symptoms to improve. At the latest follow-up (range, 24-26 months), varying degrees of residual hand dysfunction, pain, and inability to make a fist or fully extend the fingers were noted in all 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: CPRS type 1 following shoulder surgery is a disabling condition with a long-protracted clinical course. CRPS can present as early as few weeks after shoulder surgery, with symptoms of neuropathic pain, spasm, and stiffness affecting the entire upper-extremity joints except the elbow. CRPS symptoms resolve earlier in the shoulder compared with the wrist and hand, with pain improving first, followed by recovery of motion and function. Residual stiffness affecting grip function is last to recover and can present up to 2 years after onset of symptoms. Although prompt recognition and multimodal approach are considered the mainstay of treatment, there is no gold standard treatment modality that can reproducibly alter the natural history of CRPS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, therapeutic case series.

Dorsal Dislocation of the Trapezoid with Metacarpal Instability: A Boxing Injury.

Background The second and third metacarpals are firmly attached, immobile structures which for the stable pillar of the hand. The trapezoid has been described as the keystone of the wrist, allowing a wide range of functional motion as well as inherent anatomic and biomechanical stability to the carpus. Case Description We describe a novel boxing injury with a 180-degree in situ dislocation of the right trapezoid with concomitant second and third carpometacarpal (CMC) joint dislocations. Open anatomic reduction of the trapezoid was obtained, and subsequent percutaneous pinning of the metacarpals allowed for a full functional recovery and return to sports at 6 months. Literature Review Combined trapezoid and CMC dislocations are extremely rare and have only been previously described in high-energy mechanism injuries, involving a direct dorsal force such as from the steering wheel in a motor vehicle collision. There are no previous reports of this injury occurring in the setting of direct axial load along the metacarpals in a clenched fist such as in a punch or fighting injury. Clinical Relevance The rare nature of this combined injury, its novel mechanism, and the difficulty in interpreting acute injury and postreduction radiographs require that the treating physician have a high degree of clinical suspicion for associated injuries when CMC dislocations are identified. Treatment strategies incorporating intraoperative fluoroscopy, open anatomic reduction of the trapezoid under direct visualization along with closed reduction, and pinning of the metacarpals reestablish carpal stability and provide excellent long-term results.

State of Microsurgery Training in 2020: Survey of Hand Surgery Fellowship Program Directors.

BACKGROUND: Given the current national conundrum of decreasing microsurgery case volume performed by hand surgery fellows despite interest, program directors were surveyed to evaluate opinions of exposure gaps in training and to determine the current state of microsurgery training in 2020. METHODS: Anonymous national surveys were distributed to hand surgery fellowship program directors by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Subgroups were compared by training location and size of the fellowship program. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education public national data on graduate case log procedures by hand surgery fellows were reviewed. RESULTS: Eighty-eight surveys were distributed by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand to hand surgery fellowship program directors with a 44% (n = 39) response rate. Hand surgery fellowship programs from 19 US states participated. Most program's fellows had previous orthopedic surgery residency training with 41.03% of programs surveyed having 100% orthopedic surgery-trained fellows. The average number of weekly vascular microsurgical cases ranged from 25% of fellowships having no microsurgery cases per week, 46.2% having 1 per week, and only 7.7% having 5 or more cases per week. However, 60.5% of program directors prioritized a microvascular surgery case as the most valuable educational opportunity for fellows. Most program directors agreed (79.5%) that a 1-year hand surgery fellowship is sufficient to train a competent hand surgeon, who is proficient in microsurgery. In contrast, the majority disagreed (53.8%) that hand surgery microsurgery skills after a 1-year hand surgery fellowship are equivalent among graduates, regardless of a prior plastic surgery or orthopedic surgery residency training. There was a statistically significant difference in program directors' responses by geographic location regarding prior residency background impacting microsurgical skills (Kendall τ, -0.439; P = 0.001). Graduate case log data revealed an increasing trend in the number of microsurgery procedures performed by orthopedic hand surgery fellows until 2014, with a decline in cases per year and stagnating trend at 7% thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: In 2020, most hand surgery fellowship program directors highly value and prioritize microsurgery exposure for their hand surgery fellows' education despite the decrease in case volume for hand surgery fellows.

Preparatory Time-Related Hand Surgery Operating Room Inefficiency: A Systems Analysis.

Background: No study exists on preparatory time-from patient's entrance into the operating room to skin incision-and its role in hand surgery operating room inefficiency. The purpose of this study was to investigate the length and variability of preparatory time and assess the relationship between several variables and preparatory time. Methods: Consecutive upper extremity cases performed for a period of 1 month by hand surgeons were reviewed at 3 surgical sites. Preparatory time was compared across locations. Cases at one location were further analyzed to assess the relationship between preparatory time and several variables. Both traditional statistical methods and Shewhart control charts, a quality control tool, were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 288 cases were performed. The mean preparatory times at the 3 sites were 25.1, 25.7, and 20.7 minutes, respectivley. Aggregated preparatory time averaged 24.4 (range 7-61) minutes, was 75% the length of the surgical time, and accounted for 34% of total operating room time. Control charts confirmed substantial variability at all locations, signifying a poorly defined process. At a single site, where 189 cases were performed by 14 different surgeons, there was no difference in preparatory time by case type, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, or case start time. Preparatory time varied by surgeon and anesthesia type. Conclusions: Preparatory time was found to be a source of inefficiency, independent of the surgical site. Control charts reinforced large variations, signifying a poorly designed process. Surgeon seemingly plays an important, albeit likely indirect, role. Efforts to improve operating room workflow should include preparatory time.

Relationships Between Vein Repairs, Postoperative Transfusions, and Survival in Single Digit Replantation.

Background: The general teaching is that increased number of vein repairs in digit replantation leads to improved venous outflow, resulting in lower need for iatrogenic bleeding, lower postoperative transfusion requirements, and better survival rates. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the traditional teaching that emphasizes the repair of multiple veins per arterial anastomosis results in superior survival rates. Methods: A retrospective review of a single urban replant center's single-digit replants distal to the mid-metacarpal level in adult patients from 2007 to 2017 was performed. Data on patient demographics, mechanism and level of injury, veins repaired, iatrogenic bleeding, postoperative transfusions, and replant survival were obtained. Results: There were a total of 54 single-digit replants. The most common mechanism was lacerations (N = 38), and the most common injury level was at the proximal phalanx (N = 21). All digits were replanted with a single arterial anastomosis-44% via grafting. In all, 0 to 3 veins were repaired per digit (mean = 1.5 veins). The mean transfusion requirement was 1.7 units. The survival rate was 50%. Digits with 1 or 2 veins repaired had lower transfusion requirements (1.1-1.3 units) and higher survival rates (56%-61%) compared with those replanted with 0 or 3 veins repaired (2.9-3.5 transfused units, 25%-29% survival). There were no differences between those digits replanted with either 1 or 2 veins repaired for transfusion requirements or survival. Conclusions: More veins repaired do not necessarily improve survival or possibly venous outflow, calling into question the traditional teaching that 2 veins should be repaired for every arterial anastomosis.

Management of Unstable Distal Radius Fractures: A Survey of Hand Surgeons.

Background Length of immobilization after operative fixation of unstable distal radius fractures and management in elderly patients is an area of debate. Purpose The purpose of this study is to delineate common practices of fellowship-trained hand surgeons and how they compare with current evidence-based protocols. Methods Surveys were distributed to American Society for Surgery of the Hand members on preferred methods of fixation, postoperative immobilization, and variations in treatment of elderly patients with unstable distal radius fractures. Responses were analyzed in comparison to a literature review. Subgroups were compared with regard to training, practice type, and years in practice. Results Four-hundred eighty-five surveys were analyzed. Volar fixed-angle plating was the most common choice of fixation (84.7%). Patients are most often immobilized for 1 to 2 weeks (40.0%) with range of motion (ROM) therapy begun most commonly between 1 and 4 weeks (47.2%). The majority of surgeons do not treat fractures differently in patients more than 65 years old. Physicians with more than 20 years of experience were significantly more likely to begin wrist ROM sooner with volar plating versus other fixation techniques compared with physicians with less than 20 years of experience (40.7% vs. 34.2%, respectively). Also, physicians in academic-only practices were more likely to immobilize patients for a shorter time after volar plating compared with those in privademics. Conclusion Volar fixed-angle plating is the dominant fixation method for unstable distal radius fractures among fellowship-trained hand surgeons. Elderly patients are not treated more conservatively and rigid immobilization after operative fixation remains the treatment of choice despite current evidence-based protocols.