Short intramedullary wiring for displaced metaphyseal fractures of the radius in children.

There is still debate about the proper treatment of completely displaced metaphyseal fractures of the distal radius in children. Although historically these fractures were treated by closed reduction and casting, some authors have reported that up to 25% of these injuries re-displaced early in the cast despite good initial reduction. Since 2000 we have used closed reduction and percutaneous stabilisation with a short intramedullary wire, using a percutaneous technique, in children with completely displaced metaphyseal fractures of the distal radius.