Journal of Clinical & Experimental Orthopaedics

Comparable Support by Functional Bracing in Extra-Articular Distal Radius Fractures: A Cadaveric Pilot Study

Objectives: Extra-articular distal radius fractures are often treated by circular casting. A functional brace, however, may equally support the fracture zone but adds early mobilization of the radiocarpal joint. Since the amount of fracture movement for different types of fixation is currently unknown, we investigate the degree of bone displacement in extra-articular distal radius fractures fixated by regular Circular Casting (CC), Functional Bracing (FB), and No-Fixation (NF).

Material and methods: In four cadaveric arms, an extraarticular distal radius fractures was simulated and immobilized by either CC, FB or NF. After creating an extraarticular distal radius fractures, the fracture was reduced anatomically and the arms were placed in a test frame. Hereafter, flexion, extension and deviation were then induced by a static moment of force of 1 Nm. The wrists were subsequently CT scanned and bone displacement was quantified.

Results: For the hand in flexion and extension, FB showed less bone rotation of the distal segment about the flexionextension axis compared to CC and NF. However, based on the overall displacement of the distal bone segment for different poses of the hand, we could not attribute a superior reduction of bone displacement to any type of fixation.

Conclusion: To conclude this study, stabilization of an extraarticular distal radius fractures by FB might provide comparable bone fixation compared to CC and NF.

Level of evidence: Foundational evidence, Level 4

Author(s): Bloemers FW1*, Rijsdijk M2, Dobbe JGG3, Veen AVD1, Streekstra GJ3 and Buijtenen JMV1

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