[Small splint external fixation combined with 3D printing brace for the treatment of Colles fractures].

Objective: To explore the short-term clinical efficacy of manipulation reduction-combined with small splint and 3D printing wrist brace external fixation of wrist brace for Colles fracture and the advantages of using the brace.

Methods: A total of 60 patients with Colles fractures who were treated in Zhongshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February to December 2017 were selected. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the order of treatment, with 30 patients in the control group, including 13 males and 17 females, aged from 16 to 66 years, with a mean of (49.46±12.63) years; the time from injury to consultation ranged from 3 to 18 h, averaged (6.86±3.15) h. In the experimental group, there were 30 cases, 12 males and 18 females, ranging in age from 14 to 68 years old, with a mean of (46.73±14.40) years old; the time from injury to consultation ranged from 3 to 19 h, averaged(7.06±3.45)h. All the patients in the experimental group and the control group were treated with the same doctor's manipulation to reduce the fracture. The small splints were applied for external fixation after the satisfactory reduction shown in the X-ray. After 1 week of fracture treatment, the small splints were removed from the patients in the experimental group and the 3D printing braces were replaced to maintain fixation until the fracture healed. In the control group, small splints were maintained until the fracture healed. Wrist joint X-ray films were taken before and after reduction and 4 weeks after reduction to observe the palmar inclination angle, ulnar deviation angle, radius height and compare; VAS score and swelling degree score were recorded before and after reduction for 1 and 2 weeks; Cooney and PRWE score of wrist joint were compared after 6 to 8 weeks of reduction.

Results: The VAS score of 2 weeks after reduction was 2.40±0.49 in the experimental group and 2.43±0.50 in the control group. There was no statistical difference in the VAS score between the two groups before and after reduction(=0.364). The swelling degree of 2 weeks after reduction was 0.50±0.50 in the experimental group and 0.53±0.50 in the control group. There was no statistical difference in the swelling degree between the two groups before and after reduction(=0.746). The Cooney and PRWE scores of the experimental group were better than those of the control group 6 to 8 weeks after reduction (<0.05), and the anatomical characteristics of palmar inclination, ulnar deviation and radial shortening of the experimental group were better than those of the control group(<0.05).

Conclusions: 3D printing braces are light and breathable, comfortable and beautiful, and convenient for dressing. The combination of small splint sequentially applied to Colles fracture has a definite clinical effect, which enriches the means of external fixation treatment. It is believed that with the deepening of clinical research, the design and materials of 3D printing braces as well as their application in future medical treatment will be further developed.