Injury of entrapment of the superficial radial nerve is common in external
fixation for fractures of the distal radius. However, by insertion of the h
alf pins dorsally (rather than dorso-radically) in the diaphysis of radius,
the nerve should be safe. None of the 40 patients we treated with this saf
er position of the pins developed symptoms related to the superficial radia
l nerve. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.