In 3000 B.C., ancient Egyptian case reports within the Edwin Smith Papyrus described about the distal radius fracture. In 1814, Abraham Colles published his landmark treatise on distal radius fracture that led to his eponymous reward. In the 1850s, plaster of Paris gained popularity in Europe as the solidifying agent in casting techniques. The first case of using x-rays for clinical diagnosis of distal radius fracture was published in Lancet in 1896. In 1908, Lister described the use of a percutaneously placed wire through the radial styloid to maintain reduction. The first two case reports using internal fixation in the distal radius were published in the literature in 1958. In the 1970s, Kapandji introduced the concept of intrafocal pinning of the fracture site as a means to buttress the distal segment.

• In 3000 B.C., ancient Egyptian case reports within the Edwin Smith Papyrus described about the distal radius fracture.^[1]
• In 490 BC, Hippocrates described distal radius fracture and its mechanism of injury for the first time.^[2]
• In 1814, Abraham Colles published his landmark treatise on distal radius fracture that led to his eponymous reward.^[3]
• In the 1850s, plaster of Paris gained popularity in Europe as the solidifying agent in casting techniques.^[4]
• In 1895, Wilhelm Röntgen published his work on x-rays and questioned the conservative management of distal radius fracture.^[5]

• In 3000 B.C., ancient Egyptian case reports within the Edwin Smith Papyrus described management of distal radius fracture by splinting using wood and rolls of linen, which were subsequently hardened with grease and honey to maintain their position.^[6]
• In 490 BC, Hippocrates described distal radius fracture and its mechanism of injury for the first time.^[7]
• In 18th century, Petit and Pouteau first theorized that Hippocrates had failed to fully conceptualize the injury he was describing and treating.^[8]
• In 1814, Abraham Colles described how to reduce the injury and suggested the importance of immobilization with a wooden splint to prevent the wrist from falling into dorsal displacement.^[3]
• In the 1850s, plaster of Paris gained popularity in Europe as the solidifying agent in casting techniques.^[9]
• In 1896, the first case of using x-rays for clinical diagnosis of distal radius fracture was published in Lancet.^[10]
• In 1908, Lister described the use of a percutaneously placed wire through the radial styloid to maintain reduction.^[11][12]
• In 20th century, Lorenz Böhler introduced the use of pins with plaster to treat distal radius fracture.^[13]
• In 20th century, Donald Murray described the use of an adhesive traction device to maintain radial length during the consolidation phase of bony union.^[14]
• In 1944, Anderson and O’Neil’s introduced their initial design of external fixator for management for distal radius fracture.^[15]
• In 1958, the first two case reports using internal fixation in the distal radius were published in the literature.^[16][17]
• In the 1970s, Kapandji introduced the concept of intrafocal pinning of the fracture site as a means to buttress the distal segment.^[18][19]
• In the 1990s, Pi and Forte plates which were dorsally applied became popular, but fell quickly out of favor due to the frequent tendon irritations.^[20][21]
• Over the last decade, volar locking plates have taken hold as the implant of choice, and operative fixation of distal radius fracture to an all time high.^[22][23][24]