Objectives: To compare short-term functional outcomes, reduction loss, and rates of surgery for distal radius fractures initially immobilized with a traditional sugar-tong splint versus clamshell splint freeing the elbow.
Design: Prospective randomized trial.
Setting: Level 1 trauma center.
Patients: Eighty-nine consecutive patients sustaining distal radius fractures were enrolled between 2018 and 2020. Short-term first follow-up (1-2 weeks) radiographic parameters and 6 weeks for functional questionnaires were established to assess initial outcomes.
Main outcome measures: The main outcome measures were reduction loss based on radiographic criteria, rate of surgery, and short-term patient functional outcome using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score.
Results: There were no differences noted in DASH scores ( P -value = 0.8) or loss of reduction ( P -value = 0.69), and splint type was not correlated with likelihood to have surgery ( P = 0.22). A binomial regression model demonstrated splint type was not a significant predictor variable of loss of fracture reduction in the regression model.
Conclusions: These results suggest both sugar-tong splint and clamshell splint construct are acceptable options in the acute management of distal radius fractures.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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