Radiographic and Clinical Comparison of Post-reduction Splinting Constructs in the Treatment of Acute Displaced Distal Radius Fractures

Radiographic and Clinical Comparison of Post-reduction Splinting Constructs in the Treatment of Acute Displaced Distal Radius Fractures

Subjects with acute, displaced distal radius fractures will be randomized at the time of emergency room evaluation to one of two commonly accepted splinting methods for displaced distal radius fractures: sugar tong splints or volar/dorsal clam shell splints. Reduction will be performed in the usual, standard fashion and the selected splint applied. Standard radiographic measurements of alignment, including radial height, volar tilt and inclination will be measured on pre- and post- reduction radiographs by a single reviewer- who will be blinded to splint application type. At the first fracture follow-up visit, typically occurring between 5-10 days, as in standard practice, repeat radiographs of the wrist will be taken, and the same reviewer will measure alignment. As a secondary outcome, patients will also complete the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire at this visit, to compare patients' ability to perform activities of daily living with their respective splints.

Inclusion Criteria:

• acute, displaced distal radius fracture
• isolated injury

Exclusion Criteria:

• polytrauma
• non-displaced fracture
• prior wrist fracture