Technique for Insertion of the Conventus Cage for Distal Radial Fracture Fixation.

Introduction: Use of the intramedullary Conventus DRS Cage and fragment-specific screw fixation of distal radial fractures minimizes soft-tissue trauma, leading to earlier and improved wrist and finger motion while reducing traditional complications seen with internal fixation of distal radial fractures.

Step 1 Reduce The Fracture: Reduce the fracture with closed or, if necessary, open methods to achieve anatomic restoration of articular congruity, radial inclination, radial length, volar tilt, and coronal shift.

Step 2 Provisionally Stabilize The Fracture: Provisionally stabilize the reduced fracture for insertion of the cage and fragment-specific screws with either longitudinal finger-trap traction or longitudinal Kirschner wires.

Step 3 Prepare For Cage Fixation: Prepare the distal part of the radius for cavity preparation and insertion of the Conventus DRS Cage.

Step 4 Insert The Conventus Drs Cage: Insert the previously chosen small or large Conventus DRS Cage.

Step 5 Fix The Fracture Fragments: Anatomically fix the fracture fragments to the cage and radial shaft.

Step 6 Confirm Fracture Stability: Move the wrist through a full range of motion while assessing fluoroscopically whether the fracture has been stabilized with the cage-and-screw construct.

Step 7 Close The Wound: Close the skin incision and cutdown wounds and apply dressings.

Results: The Conventus DRS Cage has been used for treatment of distal radial fractures in the U.S. for >3 years.