Distal radius fractures are common. Distal radius fractures in the elderly are becoming more prevalent as the proportion of the older population increases. Treatment for distal radius fractures in younger individuals often includes surgery, particularly for displaced fractures. We present a narrative commentary, reviewing pertinent articles which compare operative versus nonoperative treatment in the “not so young” age group, an admittedly ambiguous phrase as will be discussed. Despite the lack of agreement as to who is old, much of the literature provides support for nonoperative treatment of distal radius fractures in older patients.
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