Technique Spotlight

Proper management of intra-articular fractures of the distal radius is important to reduce the chance of posttraumatic radiocarpal arthritis due to articular step-offs or gaps. The volar approach to the distal radius has become a standard method of open reduction internal fixation of these fractures with the advent of volar locking plates. The use of arthroscopy can improve the reduction of the intra-articular fragments through a minimally invasive approach. This has been shown to be superior to articular assessment fluoroscopically and allows assessment and management of intra-articular pathology concomitantly. We describe the volar approach to open reduction internal fixation of an intra-articular distal radius fracture with arthroscopically assisted reduction.