Functional bracing in distal radius fractures: a cadaveric pilot study.

Background: Extra-articular distal radius fractures are often treated by circular casting. A functional brace, however, may equally support the fracture zone but allows early mobilization of the radiocarpal joint. Since the amount of fracture movement for different types of fixation is currently unknown, a study was initiated to investigate the degree of bone displacement in extra-articular distal radius fractures fixated by regular circular casting, functional bracing, or no-fixation.