Use of Postoperative Radiographs following Operative Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures

Abstract

On average, four radiographs per patient were obtained following open reduction and internal fixation for a closed distal radius fracture. Nearly 50 percent of individuals underwent radiography on the day of surgery, despite low reoperation rates in the early postoperative period. An evidence-based approach to postoperative radiography has the potential to reduce distal radius fracture-related health care use.