No-anesthesia for Colles fracture.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to measure the perceived pain during the reduction of Colles fracture without anesthesia in both children and adults. It describes the process and reveals duration for reduction, total hospital stays and compares them with the same procedure under hematoma block. METHODS: We employed the Wong-Baker FACES pain scale to assess pain reduction in 135 adults and 98 pediatric patients undergoing Colles fracture reduction with or without hematoma block. We also measured the time required for the reduction and the overall process. RESULTS: For fracture reduction without anesthesia, Wong-Baker FACES scores were 9.2 for children and 8.7 for adults. With hematoma block, scores dropped to 7.5 for children and 5.2 for adults with only a 10 min addition to the hospital stay. Pain scores among pediatric patients exhibited moderate to strong negative correlations with age. The reduction maneuver itself took an average of 5 s. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of a Colles fracture is nearly instantaneous, making the reduction without anesthesia tolerable. Pediatric patients don't benefit from hematoma block as much as adult counterparts. It significantly reduced pain scores by 1.7 points in children and 3.5 points in adults. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Clinical application of instant 3D printed cast versus polymer orthosis in the treatment of colles fracture: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The shortcomings of plaster in water resistance, air permeability, skin comfort, fixed stability and weight of wearing are still to be solved. 3D printed cast can overcome the above shortcomings. At present, there is a relative lack of data on the clinical application of 3D printed cast, probably due to its complexity, relatively long operating time, and high price. We aimed to compare and evaluate the short-term effectiveness, safety and advantages of 3D printed wrist cast versus polymer orthosis in the treatment of Colles fracture. METHODS: Forty patients with Colles fracture in our hospital from June to December 2022 were selected and divided into an observation group (20 patients, treated with instant 3D printed cast) and a control group (20 cases, treated with polymer orthosis). Both groups treated with manual reduction and external fixation. The visual analogue scale (VAS), immobilization effectiveness and satisfaction scores, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, complications and imaging data were collected and compared before immobilization and at 2, 6 and 12 weeks after the fracture. RESULTS: VAS at 2 weeks after the fracture was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group ( P < 0.05). The immobilization effectiveness and satisfaction scores at 6 weeks after the fracture were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). The DASH scores at 2 and 6 weeks after the fracture were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). There wasn't rupture of the printed cast or orthosis in both groups. There were 2 cases of skin irritation in the control group, and no skin irritation occurred in the observation group. The palmar tilt angle and ulnar inclination angle at 2 weeks and 12 weeks after the fracture were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both instant 3D printed cast and polymer orthosis are effective in the treatment of Colles fracture. But instant 3D printed cast is better than polymer orthosis in areas of good clinical and imaging performance, and high patient satisfaction and comfort.

Ultrasound Directed Reduction of Colles' type distal radial fractures in ED (UDiReCT): a feasibility randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is a high rate of surgical fixation of displaced Colles' type distal radial wrist fractures despite fracture manipulation in the ED. Point-of-care ultrasound has been used to guide ED manipulations but its effect on the quality of fracture reduction or subsequent need for surgical fixation is unknown. This study aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised controlled trial to assess the use of ultrasound to guide these fracture manipulations. METHODS: We conducted a pragmatic randomised controlled feasibility trial in two EDs in England over a 6-month period (7 October 2019 to 6 April 2020). Adult patients with wrist fractures undergoing manipulation in the ED were randomised 1:1 to ultrasound-guided distal radial fracture manipulation or manipulation with sham ultrasound. The primary outcome for this study was trial recruitment rate. Other measures were recorded to assess potential future definitive trial outcomes and feasibility. RESULTS: Of 120 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 48 (40%) were recruited and randomised in the two centres, giving overall recruitment rates of 0.3 and 1.8 participants per week at each site, respectively, and 1 participant per week overall. The most common reason that patients were not included was research staff availability. After 6 weeks, six patients in each group (26% intervention, 24% control) had undergone surgical fixation, with 98% data completeness for this potential definitive trial primary outcome. Randomisation, blinding and data collection processes were effective but there were data limitations in the X-ray assessment of fracture positions. CONCLUSION: A definitive study of a similar design would be feasible within UK ED practice but organisational factors and research staff availability should be considered when estimating the predicted recruitment rate and required sites. 6-week surgical fixation rate was the most reliable outcome measure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03868696).

[Retrospective study on the modified Uhl technique of closed reduction and percutaneous pin in the treatment of Colles' fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively assess the advantages of the modified Uhl technique in the treatment of Colles' fracture guided by the principles of Chinese osteosynthesis (CO) concept. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 358 patients with Colles' fracture treated with the modified Uhl technique of closed reduction and percutaneous pin between January 2016 and June 2021. Out of these, 120 eligible cases were selected and categorized into two groups according to different surgical methods:the closed reduction and percutaneous pin group, and the open reduction group. Sixty-eight patients in the closed reduction and percutaneous pin group were treated with the modified Uhl technique, while fifty-two patients in the open reduction group were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using plates. The modified Sarmiento imaging score, Gartland-Werley wrist score, operation time, hospital stay, and treatment costs between the two groups were compared at a 6-month postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in terms of gender, age, affected side, injure factors, time of injury to surgery, Sarmiento imaging score, and Gartland-Werley wrist joint score (P>0.05). The closed reduction and percutaneous pin group exhibited an operation time of (35.88±14.11) minutes, hospitalization stay of (9.78±2.48) days, and treatment costs of (16 074.91±1 964.48) yuan, while the open reduction group demonstrated comparatively longer operation time of (65.48±14.26) minutes, hospitalization stay of (15.88±2.00) days, and treatment costs of (20 451.27±1 760.22) yuan (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The modified Uhl technique presents notable advantages in the management of Colles' fracture, including reliable fixation, less trauma, shorter operation time, less pain, shorter hospital stay, and cost-effectiveness. This technique exhibits promising potential for broader clinical application. However, it is important to note that the pin could potentially damage tendons, and in cases of Colles' fractures with osteoporosis and comminuted fragments, additional techniques may be required for reliable fixation.

Comparison of Modified K-wire Fixation with Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) for Unstable Colles Fracture in Elderly Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is the standard treatment of unstable Colles fracture among the elderly. Modified percutaneous K-wire fixation is becoming increasingly popular in recent years. However, there is controversy concerning its appropriate use. This study aimed to compare the early safety and efficacy of the two different treatments and provide an alternative method for the treatment of unstable Colles fracture among the older population. METHODS: Electronic medical records of 60 consecutive unstable Colles fractures patients who underwent surgery from June 2019 to October 2021, by modified percutaneous K-wire fixation (30 patients) or ORIF (30 patients), were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were followed up for 3 months. The outcomes of patients were assessed with operation time, intraoperative blood loss, visual analog score (VAS) for wrist joint pain, palmar tilt (PT), radial inclination (RI), radial height (RH), Gartland-Werley score, total hospitalization costs, hospital stays, postoperative complications, and patient subjective satisfaction. General patient information was also collected. Independent Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare continuous data. Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the categorical data. RESULTS: The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly shorter in the K-wire group than in the ORIF group (p < 0.05). Compared with the ORIF group, the VAS of the K-wire group was significantly lower at 1 and 3 days postoperatively (p < 0.05), and no significant differences were observed in VAS between the two groups preoperatively and 7 days postoperatively (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the PT, RI, and RH between the two groups preoperatively and at 1, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively (p > 0.05). Patients in the K-wire group had significantly shorter hospital stays and lower total hospital costs (p < 0.05). All patients were followed up for 3 months, and there was no significant difference in the Gartland-Werley score between the two groups (p > 0.05). Compared with the ORIF group, postoperative complications were lower, and patient subjective satisfaction was higher in the K-wire group, but there were no significant differences (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Modified percutaneous K-wire fixation in the treatment of unstable Colles fracture among the elderly is a safe, effective, rapid, and minimally invasive surgical option for surgeons.

A comparison of the functional results and costs of functional cast and volar-flexion ulnar deviation cast at 2-year follow-up in 105 patients aged 65 and older with dorsally displaced distal radius fracture: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Non-operative treatment is the most common treatment option for older patients with distal radius fracture (DRF). Traditionally, wrists have been placed in volar-flexion and ulnar deviation position (VFUDC). In recent years, there has been a trend towards using a functional position cast (FC). However, long-term results for these different casting positions are lacking. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomized, controlled, prospective study evaluates the functional results and costs of the 2 casting positions in patients 65 and older with DRF. Primary end point in this study was Patient-Reported Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) at 24 months, and secondary end points were cost-effectiveness of treatment, health-related quality of life measurement (15D), short version of Disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand score (QuickDASH), and VAS at 24 months. The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02894983, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02894983). RESULTS: We enrolled 105 patients, of which 81 (77%) continued until 24-month follow-up. 8 patients (18%) were operated in the VFUDC group and 4 (11%) in the FC group. Patients in the VFUDC group also received more frequent physical therapy. The difference in PRWE score between the VFUDC and FC groups at 24 months was -4.31. The difference in the cost of treatment per patient was €590. Both findings favored FC. INTERPRETATION: We found a slight, but consistent difference in the functional results between groups. These results suggest that VFUDC is not superior to FC when treating Colles' type DRF. Cost analysis revealed overall costs in the VFUDC group are nearly double those in the FC group, mostly due to more physical therapy, additional visits to hospital, and additional examinations. Therefore, we recommend FC in older patients with Colles' type DRF.

DOES AN EARLY POST-OPERATIVE PAIN RELIEVE INFLUENCE THE FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF PATIENTS WITH COLLES FRACTURES TREATED WITH EG-BLOCK SYSTEM?

Distal Radius Fractures (DRFs) represent one of the most common elderly patient's fractures. Often DRFs required surgical treatment based on instability of the fragments and due to the high functional demand from patients. A general agreement on the best pharmacological treatment in the post-operative is still missing. The present study describes the clinical outcome in patients who underwent surgery for Colles fracture using ES fixation osteosynthesis. ; The present investigation represents a one center retrospective analysis. In this study, two different medical treatments were recognized, and groups consequently set (Group A: Ketoprofene 100 mg twice a day for 5 days, 59 patients; Group B: Tramadol 75 mg and Dexketoprofen 25 mg, 62 patients). Outcomes were the functionality of the affected wrist through AROM assessment and the evaluation of painkillers intake, pain itself and Quick-DASH.; 121 patients were included in the present study. The pharma blending of Tramadol 75 mg and Dexketoprofen 25 mg resulted effective for the rapid recovery of the treated wrist motion. In fact, in the group B motion was better compared to group A (p<0.05) for any movement examined (flexion, extension, pronation, supination) until the last follow-up (70 days).; Associations of different painkillers are common, even if a general agreement on the most effective combination is still missing. Tramadol and Dexketoprofen provide a good clinical result, less side effects and a better functional recovery of the wrist motion. This guarantees a fewer social cost and a best management of post-operative physiotherapy.

Distal radius fractures: an evidence-based approach to assessment and management.

Distal radius fractures account for one in five bony injuries in both primary and secondary care. These are commonly the result of a fall on outstretched hands or high-energy trauma. On assessment, clinicians should determine the mechanism of injury, associated bony or soft tissue injuries, and neurovascular symptoms. Investigations should always include radiographs to evaluate for intra-articular involvement and fracture displacement. Owing to the heterogeneous injury patterns and patient profiles, the preferred management should consider the severity of the fracture, desired functional outcome and patient comorbidities. Non-operative management in select patients can give good results, especially in older adults. Immobilisation with or without reduction forms the mainstay of non-operative treatment. Surgical management options include closed reduction and application of a cast, percutaneous K-wires, open reduction and internal fixation with plates, or external fixation. Patients should be encouraged to mobilise as soon as it is safe to do so, to prevent stiffness. Median nerve compression is the most common complication followed by tendon rupture, arthrosis and malunion. This article outlines the British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma and Orthopaedics for the management of distal radius fractures.

Two casting methods compared in patients with Colles' fracture: A pragmatic, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Distal radius fractures are common fractures and the cornerstone of treatment remains immobilization of the wrist in a cast. At present, there is a scarcity of studies that compare different cast immobilization methods. The objective of the study was therefore to compare volar-flexion and ulnar deviation cast to functional cast position in the treatment of dorsally displaced distal radius fracture among elderly patients. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We performed a pragmatic, randomized, controlled trial in three emergency centers in Finland. After closed reduction of the fracture, the wrist was placed in either volar-flexion and ulnar deviation cast or functional cast position. The follow-up was 12 months. The primary outcome was patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) score at 12 months. The secondary outcomes were Quick-DASH score, grip strength, health-related quality of life (15D), and pain catastrophizing scale. The number of complications was also recorded. In total, 105 participants were included in the study. Of these, 88% were female and the mean age was 73.5 (range 65-94) years. In the primary analysis, the mean difference in patient-rated wrist evaluation measure between groups was -4.9 (95% CI: -13.1.- 3.4., p = .24) in favor of the functional cast position. Operative treatment due to loss of reduction of fracture was performed for four patients (8%) in the FC group and for seven patients (13%) in the volar-flexion and ulnar deviation cast group (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.16-2.1). CONCLUSION: In this study, the data were consistent with a wide range of treatment effects when comparing two different cast positions in the treatment of distal radius fracture among elderly patients at 12-month follow-up. However, the functional cast is more likely to be superior when compared to volar-flexion and ulnar deviation cast. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02894983 Accessible: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02894983.

Percutaneous pinning for treating distal radial fractures in adults.

BACKGROUND: Fracture of the distal radius is a common clinical problem. A key method of surgical fixation is percutaneous pinning, involving the insertion of wires through the skin to stabilise the fracture. This is an update of a Cochrane Review published in 2007. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects (benefits and harms) of percutaneous pinning versus cast immobilisation alone and of different methods and techniques of percutaneous pinning, modalities or duration of immobilisation after pinning, and methods or timing of pin or wire removal for treating fractures of the distal radius in adults. Our primary focus was on dorsally displaced fractures. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, trial registers, conference proceedings and reference lists of articles up to June 2019. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled clinical trials involving adults with a fracture of the distal radius, which compared percutaneous pinning with non-surgical treatment or different aspects of percutaneous pinning. Our main outcomes were patient-reported function at the short term (up to three months), medium term (three up to 12 months) and long term (greater than 12 months); overall numbers of participants with complications requiring secondary treatment and any complication; grip strength and health-related quality of life at 12 months. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: At least two review authors independently performed study screening and selection, 'Risk of bias' assessment and data extraction. We pooled data where appropriate and used GRADE for assessing the quality of evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS: We included 21 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and five quasi-RCTs, involving 1946 generally older and female adults with dorsally displaced and potentially or evidently unstable distal radial fractures. Trial populations varied but the majority of studies reported mean ages in the sixth decade or older. All trials were at high risk of bias, invariably performance bias - which for most trials reflected the impracticality of blinding care providers or participants to treatment allocation - and often detection bias and selective reporting bias. Allocation concealment was secure in one trial only. All trials reported outcomes incompletely. The studies tested one of 10 comparisons. In the following, we report on those of the main outcomes for which evidence was available. No subgroup analysis, such as by pinning methods, was viable. Eleven heterogeneous trials involving 917 participants compared percutaneous pinning with plaster cast immobilisation after closed reduction of the fracture. The quality of the evidence was very low for all reported outcomes. Thus, we are uncertain if percutaneous pinning compared with plaster cast alone makes any difference to patient-reported function, measured using the DASH questionnaire, at six weeks or six months (incomplete data from one trial). Overall numbers of participants with complications were not reported. Redisplacement resulting in secondary treatment occurred on average in 12% (range 3.3% to 75%) of participants treated by cast alone (six trials) whereas pin tract infection requiring antibiotics and, often, early wire removal, occurred on average in 7.7% (range 0% to 15%) of pinning group participants (seven trials). We are uncertain whether pinning makes a difference to the incidence of complex regional pain syndrome, reported in four studies. Although two studies found finger stiffness after cast removal was less common after pinning (20% versus 36%), the treatment implications were not reported. Other reported complications were mainly surgery-related. Based on incomplete data or qualitative statements from only four studies, we are uncertain of the effects of pinning on grip strength at 12 months. We are uncertain if percutaneous pinning compared with plaster cast alone makes any difference to patient-reported quality of life at four months (one study). Five comparisons of different pinning methods were made by six trials in all. One of these trials, which reported results for 96 participants, compared Kapandji intrafocal pinning (2 or 3 wires) with early mobilisation versus trans-styloid fixation (2 wires) with six weeks cast immobilisation. We are uncertain whether Kapandji pinning slightly increases the risk of superficial radial nerve symptoms or complex regional pain syndrome, or whether it makes a difference in grip strength at 12 months (very low-quality evidence). Two small trials using two distinct pinning techniques compared biodegradable pins versus metal pins in 70 participants. Although very low-quality evidence, the extra demands at surgery of insertion of biodegradable pins and excess of serious complications (e.g. severe osteolytic reactions) associated with biodegradable material are important findings. Three poorly-reported trials involving 168 participants compared burying of wire ends versus leaving them exposed. We are uncertain whether burying of wires reduces the incidence of superficial infection (very low-quality evidence). There is low-quality evidence that burying of wires may be associated with a higher risk of requiring more invasive treatment for wire removal. Four small trials compared different types or duration of postoperative immobilisation. Very low-quality evidence of small between-group differences in individual complications and grip strength at 17 weeks, means we are uncertain of the effects of positioning the wrist in dorsiflexion versus palmar flexion during cast immobilisation following pinning of redisplaced fractures (one trial; 60 participants). Three small heterogeneous trials compared cast immobilisation for one week (early mobilisation) versus four or six weeks after percutaneous pinning in 170 people. Although we note one trial using Kapandji pinning reported more complications in the early group, the very low-quality evidence means there is uncertainty of the effects of early mobilisation on overall and individual complications, or grip strength at 12 months. No trials tested different methods for, or timing of, pin/wire removal. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there is insufficient RCT evidence to inform on the role of percutaneous pinning versus cast immobilisation alone or associated treatment decisions such as method of pinning, burying or not of wire ends, wrist position and duration of immobilisation after pinning. Although very low-quality evidence, the serious complications associated with biodegradable materials is noteworthy. We advise waiting on the results of a large ongoing study comparing pinning with plaster cast treatment as these could help inform future research.

Influence of Ibuprofen on Bone Healing After Colles' Fracture: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may delay bone healing. [Therefore, it is important to establish whether NSAID preparations delay bone healing and what correlations, if any, exist between different bone studies-DEXA-scanning, bone markers, roentgenology controls, and histological examination of newly formed bone]. The purpose of this prospective controlled study was to investigate whether ibuprofen affects bone mineral density, turnover biomarkers, and histomorphometric characteristics of the callus after a Colles' fracture. This study was a single-center, triple-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Ninety-five patients (80 females) with displaced Colles' fracture, median age 65 (range 40-85) years were included in the study and operated on by external fixation from June 2012 through to June 2015. Eighty-nine patients received interventional medicine and 83 completed the 1-year follow-up. The 7-day ibuprofen group received 600 mg of ibuprofen three times a day (N = 29), the 3-day ibuprofen group received ibuprofen for 3 days (N = 30) and a placebo for the following 4 days, and finally, the placebo group received a placebo for 7 days (N = 30). The primary outcome was the difference in bone mineral density between the ultra-distal region of the injured and non-injured radius at 3 months after surgery. The histomorphometric outcomes included the assessment of callus tissue volume and surface fractions at 6 weeks postoperatively. The biomarkers Osteocalcin and CrossLaps were measured at baseline, 1 week, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year. We included the results of the dropped-out patients in the intention to treat analysis. There was no difference between treatment groups in bone mineral density, histomorphometric estimations, and changes in bone biomarkers. These findings may offer an indication of ibuprofen as a bone-safe analgesic treatment in an acute fracture-phase. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:545-554, 2020.

No influence of ibuprofen on bone healing after Colles' fracture - A randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may delay bone healing. This knowledge is mainly derived from retrospective uncontrolled clinical studies and from animal experiments. The purpose of this prospective controlled study was to investigate whether ibuprofen influences pain, function, and bone healing after a Colles' fracture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single center, triple-blind, randomized clinical trial. 95 patients, 80 females and 15 males, with displaced Colles' fracture aged median 65 (range 40-85) years old were included and operated by external fixation from June 2012 through June 2015. 89 participants received interventional medicine and 83 completed the one-year follow-up. The 7-day ibuprofen group received 600 mg of ibuprofen three times a day, the 3-day ibuprofen group received ibuprofen for three days and a placebo for the following four days, and finally, the placebo group received a placebo for seven days. All patients received paracetamol 1000 mg four times a day and 50 mg tramadol if needed. The primary outcome were radiological changes in radius tilt, length, and inclination observed during and 6 weeks after the surgery. The analgesic outcome were 14 days experience of pain, and registered use of tramadol. The functional outcomes were the percentage differences in the motion between the injured and non-injured wrist, and the DASH score at 3 and 12 months. All analyses were performed according to the intention to treat. RESULTS: No clinically relevant difference was observed in the radiological migration between the treatment groups, 0.064≤P ≤ 0.81. There was no difference in the pain score between the treatment groups, P = 0.13. The use of tramadol was lower in the ibuprofen groups than in the placebo group, P = 0.035. Ibuprofen treatment did not affect the range of motion, 0.148 ≤P ≤ 0.963. Patients in all groups demonstrated DASH score, and wrist motion improvement, close to 90% of normal amplitude. The complication rate was higher in the 7-day ibuprofen group compared to the placebo group, P = 0.043. CONCLUSIONS: Ibuprofen treatment demonstrated a tramadol-sparing effect during the postoperative period. Neither wrist function nor radiological migration were influenced. The complication rate was higher in the ibuprofen-treated group compared the placebo-treated group.

Comparative Assessment of Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Smith and Colles Distal Radius Fractures.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of surgical treatment of distal radial fractures following open reduction and fixation with an angle-stable plate in relation to the type of injury (flexion vs. extension fracture). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 25 patients with Colles fractures and 25 patients with Smith fractures treated surgically in the years 2012-2013 was analysed retrospectively. The results were evaluated using the quickDASH and Mayo Wrist Score. Radiographic follow-up assessments included radial inclination, radial height, volar tilt and articular step-off. RESULTS: The mean Mayo Wrist Score was 72.8 points for Colles fractures and 68.3 points for Smith fractures. The mean quickDASH score was 18.2 points for Colles fractures and 20.5 points for Smith fractures. However, these differences were not statistically significant. The only significant difference in the radiographic parameters investigated was in volar tilt, which was normal in the group of patients with Smith fractures (11°), whereas in the group with Colles fractures it was 5°. CONCLUSIONS: 1. In fractures of the distal radius, the type of displacement has no significant effect on the final outcome of surgical plate fixation. 2. In fractures with dorsal displacement of fragments, it is more difficult to restore volar tilt from a volar approach.

Radiographic results after plaster cast fixation for 10 days versus 1 month in reduced distal radius fractures: a prospective randomised study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine whether reduced distal radius fractures can be treated with early mobilisation without affecting the radiographic results. METHODS: In a prospective randomised study, 109 patients (mean age 65.8 (range 50-92)) with moderately displaced distal radius fractures were treated with closed reduction and plaster cast fixation for about 10 days (range 8-13 days) followed by randomisation to one of two groups: early mobilisation (n = 54, active group) or continued plaster cast fixation for another 3 weeks (n = 55, control group). RESULTS: For three patients in the active group (6%), treatment proved unsuccessful because of severe displacement of the fracture (n = 2) or perceived instability (n = 1). From 10 days to 1 month, i.e. the only period when the treatment differed between the two groups, the active group displaced significantly more in dorsal angulation (4.5°, p < 0.001), radial angulation (2.0°, p < 0.001) and axial compression (0.5 mm, p = 0.01) compared with the control group. However, during the entire study period (i.e. from admission to 12 months), the active group displaced significantly more than the controls only in radial angulation (3.2°, p = 0.002) and axial compression (0.7 mm, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Early mobilisation 10 days after reduction of moderately displaced distal radius fractures resulted in both an increased number of treatment failures and increased displacement in radial angulation and axial compression as compared with the control group. Mobilisation 10 days after reduction cannot be recommended for the routine treatment of reduced distal radius fractures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrail.gov, NCT02798614 . Retrospectively registered 16 June 2016.

Single-Blinded, Randomized Preliminary Study Evaluating the Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Postoperative Pain in Patients with Colles' Fracture.

OBJECTIVE: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been widely used for pain relief; however, the effect remains controversial. The authors hypothesized that TENS can relieve acute pain. Therefore, a single-blinded, randomized, controlled preliminary study was designed on postoperative pain in patients with Colles' fracture. METHODS: In total, 36 patients were assigned to a real TENS or sham TENS group (18 patients in each group). TENS (50 Hz, 15 min/day) was applied near the Quchi (LI11) and Waiguan (TE5) surfaces of the operative side continuously for 5 days after surgical treatment. RESULTS: The visual analog scale (VAS) scores did not differ significantly between the real and sham TENS groups before the TENS period, from the first to fifth day after surgical treatment (all p > 0.05), whereas the VAS scores were lower for the real TENS group than for the sham TENS group in the post-TENS period, on the first, third, fourth, and fifth days after surgical treatment (all p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: TENS might be valuable as a treatment of postoperative pain, but clinicians and researchers should know that it is no different than a treatment with placebo. Especially, since this form of treatment and sham treatment has a great chance of working under the mechanism of the placebo effect due to its single-blindedness.

The Effects of Dorsal Cortical Comminution on Radiographic Results following Percutaneous Pinning for Extra-Articular Colles' Fracture.

A number of studies have demonstrated that dorsal cortical comminution (DCC) can predict redisplacement after nonoperative treatment of Colles' fractures; however, the effects of a DCC defect on radiographic outcomes following percutaneous pinning for dorsally displaced extraarticular Colles' fractures are unclear. We, therefore, performed a retrospective study on 85 patients who sustained such fractures treated with percutaneous pinning within 2006-2009. The main outcome measures included four radiographic parameters, including radial height, radial inclination, radial tilt, and ulnar variance. The radiological results showed that all fractures after percutaneous pinning followed the same time series changes and patterns of fracture collapse regardless of the presence of a DCC defect. The use of the pinning construct is to provide support for static loading but not for dynamic loading. Although the final radiographic outcomes were classified as acceptable in fractures with and without DCC, we recommend that a different approach in the management of displaced Colles' fractures might be necessary in consideration of increasing patient expectations of health care.

[Guiding role of three-column theory in manipulative reduction, small splint fixation and early rehabilitative exercises for Colles fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore guiding role of three-column theory in manipulative reduction, small splint fixation and early rehabilitative exercises of Colles fracture. METHODS: From August 2011 to February 2012,47 patients with Colles fractures were treated by manipulative reduction small splinting fixation and early rehabilitative exercises under the guidance of three-column theory, including 21 males and 26 females aged from 40 to 76 years old with an average of (65.5 +/- 2.3). According to AO fracture classification, 27 patients were type A (including 18 cases with type A2 and 9 cases with type A3) and 20 patients were type C (including 10 cases with type C1, 6 cases with type C2 and 4 cases with type C3). Pain and recovery time of swelling, postoperative complications were observed and recorded, Gartland-Werley scoring system were applied for evaluate functional recovery and biomechanical analysis of wrist joint at 12 weeks after operation. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 3 to 9 months with average of 5 months. Pain relief time ranged from 5 to 15 d with average of (7.6 +/- 2.2) d,recovery time of swelling of opisthenar was for 6 to 13 d with an average of (8.9 +/- 1.9) d. Two patients occurred tension vesicle within 3 days after operation, but no other complications occurred. According to Gartland-Werley scoring system, 25 cases got excellent results, 18 cases good and 4 cases moderate at 12 weeks after operation. CONCLUSION: Under the guidance of three-column theory, treating Colles fracture by manipulative reduction, small splinting fixation and early rehabilitative exercises can reduce pain and swelling time, promote union of fracture, effectively rehabilitate wrist function, improve clinical efficacy, and fit for concept of biomechanics.

Stainless steel versus titanium volar multi-axial locking plates for fixation of distal radius fractures: a randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Distal radius fractures are among the most common fractures seen in the hospital emergency department. Of these, over 40% are considered unstable and require some form of fixation. In recent years with the advent of low profile plating, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using volar plates has become the surgical treatment of choice in many hospitals. However, it is currently unknown which plating system has the lowest complication rate and/or superior clinical and radiological outcomes following surgery. Few studies have compared different types of plates, which may have various features, different plate and screw designs or may be manufactured from different materials (for example, stainless steel or titanium). This study will specifically investigate and compare the clinical and radiological outcomes and complication rates of two commonly used volar plating systems for fixation of distal radius fractures: one made from stainless steel (Trimed™ Volar Plate, Trimed™, California, USA) and the other made from titanium (Medartis® Aptus Volar Plate, Medartis®, Basel, Switzerland). The primary aim of this study is to determine if there is a difference on the Patient Reported Wrist Evaluation six months following ORIF using a volar plate for adult patients with a distal radius fracture. METHODS/DESIGN: This study will implement a randomized prospective clinical trial study design evaluating the outcomes of two different types of volar plates: one plate manufactured from stainless steel (Trimed™ Volar Plate) and one plate manufactured from titanium (Medartis® Aptus Volar Plate). The surgery will be performed at a major trauma hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Outcome measures including function, adverse events, range of movement, strength, disability, radiological findings and health-related quality of life will be collected at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months following surgery. A parallel economic analysis will also be performed. This randomized clinical trial is due to deliver results in December 2016. DISCUSSION: Results from this trial will contribute to the evidence on operative management of distal radius fractures and plate material type. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12612000969864.

A case report of a giant forearm lipoma causing anterior interosseous nerve palsy after fracture of the distal radius.

To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports on anterior interosseous nerve palsy (AINP) caused by a soft tissue tumor after fracture of the distal radius. We treated a case of giant forearm lipoma that caused AINP one day after internal fixation of a distal radius fracture.