Many distal radius fractures can be treated by nonsurgical means. For those that require surgery, volar plating has become the most common form of surgical fixation in North America for unstable distal radius fractures. However, some fracture types may not be suitable for volar plating. External fixation was used commonly in the past and remains an excellent choice for fixation in many cases. Similarly, an internal plate that spans the wrist joint is often a very good choice for some fracture patterns. In this procedure, a plate that spans the wrist is placed dorsally and secured to the second or third metacarpal. This technique guide details the indications, contraindications, and procedural steps for bridge plating of distal radius fractures and fracture-dislocations of the wrist.Quick Tips