INJECTABLE CALCIUM-PHOSPHATE IN THE TREATMENT OF DISTAL RADIAL FRACTURES

An injectable material which hardened in situ to form a carbonated hyd roxyapatite, Norian SRS (Norian Corp., Cupertino, USA), was used as th e only treatment of unstable distal radial fractures in six patients, Except for an external dorsal splint for 2 weeks, no other treatment w as used, The material maintained reduction except in one case in which there were technical problems during hardening and the material fragm ented postoperatively. By 1 year all patients had a satisfactory clini cal outcome, There was an early return of motion, The possibility of m obilization 1 or 2 weeks after the operation may reduce postoperative stiffness and increase short-term functional outcome.