Clinical and Radiographic Comparison of Splinting Constructs for Distal Radius Fractures: An Effort to Free the Elbow.

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.