SMITH'S FRACTURE REVIEW

Course overview

A SMITH FRACTURE IS A FRACTURE OF THE DISTAL RADIUS FEATURING VOLAR DISPLACEMENT OR ANGULATION. IT TYPICALLY RESULTS FROM A FALL ON THE DORSUM OF THE HAND WITH A FLEXED WRIST. REDUCTION AND REAPPROXIMATION ARE ESSENTIAL AND CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED CONSERVATIVELY IF NOT SEVERE WITH CASTING. HOWEVER, IF HEAVILY ANGULATED OR UNSTABLE AFTER REDUCTION, OPEN REDUCTION INTERNAL FIXATION (ORIF) IS NECESSARY. THIS ACTIVITY OUTLINES THE DEFINITION, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF SMITH FRACTURES. IT ALSO REVIEWS THE ROLE OF THE HEALTHCARE TEAM IN MANAGING PATIENTS WITH THIS TYPE OF FRACTURE.