Manual reduction combined with small splint fixation in the treatment of type B distal radius fractures in elderly

ZHANG Yulong

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-666X.2025.01.006

Abstract：Objective To explore clinical effects of manual reduction combined with small splint fixation in the treatment of elderly patients with type B distal radius fractures.Methods Clinical data of 90 elderly patients with type B distal radius fractures who were treated in Xiangfu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Kaifeng City from January 2021 to January 2023 were analyzed retrospectively.All patients underwent manual reduction of traction by pulling and pushing combined with small spline fixation.Ulnar deviation angle,palmar inclination angle and radial height were measured,wrist joint function was evaluated by Gartland-Werley wrist score,pain symptom was accessed by visual analogue scale(VAS),swelling degree of wrist joint,activities of daily living(ADL)score and complications were also recorded.Results All patients were followed-up with average time of(18.35±6.25)months.Compared with pre-treatment ones,ulnar deviation angle,palmar inclination angle and radial height at the latest follow-up all improved significantly(P<0.05).Gartland-Werley score before the treatment and at the last follow-up was(13.68±2.15)points and(7.87±2.30)points respectively,which showed statistical difference(P<0.05).At the last follow-up,VAS score,swelling score and ADL score were all better than those before the treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion For elderly patients with type B distal radius fractures,manual reduction of traction by pulling and pushing combined with small spline fixation could achieve satisfactory efficacy with good reduction,swelling and pain relief of affected limb,wrist function improvement and ADL enhancement.