Distal Radius Fracture Surgery
Brian Butzen MD - Durango Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Brian Butzen remembers the call from Purgatory Resort like it was yesterday. A snowboarder had taken a hard fall, instinctively putting out her hand to break the impact. The result? A shattered distal radius—the larger of the two bones in her forearm, right where it meets the wrist. Since 2013, this board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon has treated hundreds of similar wrist injuries throughout Durango and the Four Corners region. His expertise in distal radius fracture surgery has helped everyone from weekend skiers to local contractors get back to doing what they love, often stronger than before their injury.
The Story Your Wrist Tells
Your wrist is like the foundation of a house—when it's damaged, everything above it suffers. The distal radius is the bigger bone on the thumb side of your forearm, and it bears most of the weight when you put your hand down. When this bone breaks near the wrist joint, it's called a distal radius fracture.
"I see these injuries all the time," says Dr. Butzen from his practice at Animas Orthopedic Associates. "Someone slips on ice in Durango's winter weather, or takes a tumble mountain biking on the trails around Cortez. The natural reaction is to catch yourself with your hands."
Why Some Wrist Fractures Need Surgery
Not every distal radius fracture requires surgery. Dr. Butzen has seen plenty of simple breaks that heal well with just a cast. But some wrist injuries need more help:
When the Bones Move Out of Place
If the broken pieces shift and don't line up properly, your wrist won't work right when it heals. Think of it like trying to build with crooked blocks—everything becomes unstable.
Multiple Fracture Pieces
Sometimes the bone breaks into several pieces, like a puzzle that needs to be put back together. A cast alone can't hold all these pieces in the right spot.
Joint Surface Damage
When the break goes into the joint where your wrist bends, perfect alignment becomes even more important. Even small gaps can cause arthritis later.
Unstable Fractures
Some breaks are so unstable that they'll shift even in a cast. These need internal support to heal properly.
Dr. Butzen recalls a patient from Farmington who waited too long to get treatment: "Her wrist healed crooked, and she couldn't turn a doorknob without pain. We had to re-break it and fix it properly—something that could have been avoided with early surgery."
How Distal Radius Fracture Surgery Works
Modern distal radius fracture surgery is precise and effective. Dr. Butzen uses several techniques depending on your specific injury:
Plate and Screw Fixation
This is the most common approach. A thin metal plate goes on the bone, held in place with screws. It's like putting a splint inside your arm.
External Fixation
For severely damaged bones, pins go through the skin into the bone, connected to a frame outside your arm. This holds everything in place while healing begins.
Percutaneous Pinning
Small pins are placed through the skin to hold bone pieces in position. These often come out after a few weeks.
Bone Grafting
Sometimes Dr. Butzen needs to add bone material to fill gaps where pieces are missing or crushed.
What Makes Dr. Butzen's Approach Different
Having served the Durango community for over a decade, Dr. Butzen understands that every patient has different needs and goals.
"A carpenter from Pagosa Springs needs his wrist to work differently than a retired teacher," he explains. "I tailor the surgery and recovery plan to each person's life."
His fellowship training in hand and wrist surgery means he's completed additional specialized education beyond his orthopedic residency. This extra training shows up in the details—precise bone alignment, careful soft tissue handling, and techniques that minimize scarring.
The Real Recovery Timeline
Dr. Butzen believes in giving patients realistic expectations about distal radius fracture surgery recovery:
First Two Weeks
Your wrist will be in a splint or cast. Some swelling and discomfort are normal. Most patients can use their fingers right away.
Weeks 2-6
The cast usually comes off around six weeks. X-rays show how the bone is healing. Light activities can begin.
Weeks 6-12
Physical therapy starts. You'll work on getting motion and strength back. This phase requires patience—your wrist has been still for weeks.
Months 3-6
Most people return to normal activities during this time. Heavy lifting and impact activities are usually the last things to come back.
A local restaurant owner told Dr. Butzen, "I was worried I'd never be able to prep food the same way. Six months after surgery, I'm back to chopping vegetables and lifting heavy pots. My wrist actually feels more stable than before I broke it."
Common Concerns About Wrist Injury Surgery
Will I Need Hardware Removed?
Most plates and screws stay in permanently. They're made from materials that your body accepts well. Removal is only needed if they cause problems, which is rare.
What About Nerve Damage?
Dr. Butzen takes great care to protect the nerves around your wrist during surgery. Permanent nerve problems are uncommon with modern techniques.
Will My Wrist Be as Strong as Before?
Most patients regain full strength, and many feel their wrist is actually more stable after healing. The metal plate provides additional support.
Can I Still Do Sports?
Dr. Butzen has helped countless patients return to skiing, mountain biking, and other activities popular in the Four Corners region. Some modifications might be needed initially, but most people get back to their favorite activities.
Advanced Techniques for Better Outcomes
Dr. Butzen stays current with the latest advances in distal radius fracture surgery:
Low-Profile Implants
Newer plates are thinner and smoother, reducing the chance of irritation under the skin.
Locked Plating Technology
These screws lock into the plate, providing stronger fixation, especially in older patients with softer bones.
Minimally Invasive Approaches
When possible, Dr. Butzen uses smaller incisions and specialized techniques to reduce tissue damage and scarring.
Fragment-Specific Fixation
For complex fractures, he can use multiple small plates and screws to hold individual bone pieces exactly where they belong.
The Durango Advantage for Wrist Fracture Treatment
Getting your distal radius fracture surgery in Durango means you don't have to travel hours for expert care. Dr. Butzen's practice provides:
Same-day evaluations for urgent injuries
Coordination with emergency departments in Durango, Cortez, and Pagosa Springs
Access to excellent hand therapy right here in the Four Corners
Follow-up care close to home
When Time Matters
Some wrist fractures are medical emergencies. Dr. Butzen recommends immediate evaluation if you have:
Obvious deformity of the wrist
Numbness or tingling in your fingers
Inability to move your fingers normally
Signs of poor circulation in your hand
"I've had patients drive from Cortez in snowstorms because they knew their injury needed immediate attention," Dr. Butzen recalls. "When it comes to wrist injuries, getting proper treatment quickly can make the difference between a good outcome and lifelong problems."
Living with Hardware
Most patients adapt quickly to having plates and screws in their wrist. The hardware becomes part of you, like a dental filling. You might feel it if you press on the area, but it rarely interferes with daily activities.
Cold weather in Durango sometimes makes the hardware feel different, but this doesn't mean anything is wrong. Your wrist may feel stiff on very cold mornings, but movement quickly warms things up.
Prevention and Future Health
While accidents happen, Dr. Butzen shares some wisdom from treating hundreds of wrist injuries:
Use proper protective gear for sports
Keep walkways clear of ice and snow
Strengthen your core and improve balance to prevent falls
Don't ignore wrist pain that develops gradually
Your Path Forward
If you've suffered a wrist injury, don't wait to get it evaluated. What seems like a simple sprain could be a distal radius fracture that needs treatment.
Dr. Butzen's approach combines technical expertise with genuine care for his patients. His years of experience in Durango have taught him that successful treatment goes beyond just fixing the bone—it's about understanding how the injury affects your life and helping you get back to living it fully.
The mountains and mesas of the Four Corners region offer endless opportunities for adventure. Don't let a wrist injury keep you on the sidelines longer than necessary. Expert distal radius fracture surgery is available right here in Durango, helping you get back to the activities that make this area such a special place to live.
Dr. Brian Butzen is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, wrist, and hand surgery. He has been serving the Durango, Colorado community and Four Corners region since 2013 as part of Animas Orthopedic Associates, with a satellite clinic in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.