A comparative study of two different plaster external fixation methods in the treatment of distal radius fractures
HAO Jun-hang
ZHANG Heng-yun
YANG Zi-han
ZHEN Hong-jun
LI Ke-sheng
LI Dan-dan
QIAN Hong
Abstract：Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of the modified sugar tong splint and the conventional sugar tong splints in the treatment of distal radius fractures,and to explore which external fixation method is more suitable for the treatment of distal radius fractures.Methods A total of 90 patients with distal radius fractures,who were admitted to the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at Handan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between September 2022 and August 2024,were selected for this study.Using a random number table method,they were allocated into either the modified sugar tong splint group(Group A)or the conventional sugar tong splint group(Group B),with 45 patients in each group.The fracture types,according to the AO classification,were A2.2,A2.3,and C1.During follow-up,the following data were collected from both groups:the number of complication cases,Mayo wrist function score,Hospital for Special Surgery(HSS)elbow function score,Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)score for pain,as well as radiographic parameters including volar tilt,ulnar inclination,radial height,and fracture healing time.Results The number of patients experiencing shoulder pain in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group B(4 vs.15,P<0.05).At 6 and 12 weeks after closed reduction and plaster cast immobilization,the HSS elbow function scores in Group A were significantly superior to those in Group B(82.38±4.90 vs.73.78±4.28 and 87.94±4.15 vs.83.67±4.41,respectively;P<0.05 for both).However,no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups at 6 months(P>0.05).Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated that Group A achieved good functional recovery more rapidly(F=43.678,P<0.001).There were no statistically significant differences in the Mayo wrist function scores between the two groups at any time point(6 weeks,12 weeks,or 6 months after closed reduction and plaster cast immobilization)(all P>0.05).Similarly,no significant differences were found between the groups regarding the radiographic parameters(volar tilt,ulnar inclination,radial height)or the number of complications at any follow-up interval(all P>0.05).Conclusions In this study involving elderly patients(≥60 years)with distal radius fractures(AO types A2.2,A2.3,and C1),no significant differences are observed between the two external fixation methods regarding fracture stability or healing time.However,the modified sugar tong splint demonstrates superiority over the conventional sugar tong splint in reducing the incidence of shoulder pain and yielding better elbow function scores.These findings suggests that for eligible patients with similar fracture characteristics,the modified sugar tong splint may represent a preferable external fixation option.
Keywords：Wrist fracturesCastssurgicalClosed fracture reduction
Publication Date：2026-03-19
Online Publishing Date：2026-04-02(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 200-206 )