Radiographic and Clinical Comparison of Post-reduction Splinting Constructs in the Treatment of Acute Displaced Distal Radius Fractures

Subjects with acute, displaced distal radius fractures will be randomized at the time of
emergency room evaluation to one of two commonly accepted splinting methods for displaced
distal radius fractures: sugar tong splints or volar/dorsal clam shell splints. Reduction
will be performed in the usual, standard fashion and the selected splint applied. Standard
radiographic measurements of alignment, including radial height, volar tilt and inclination
will be measured on pre- and post- reduction radiographs by a single reviewer- who will be
blinded to splint application type. At the first fracture follow-up visit, typically
occurring between 5-10 days, as in standard practice, repeat radiographs of the wrist will be
taken, and the same reviewer will measure alignment. As a secondary outcome, patients will
also complete the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire at this
visit, to compare patients' ability to perform activities of daily living with their
respective splints.