Fabricating a Volar Extension Splint for Colles' Fracture
Introduction[edit | edit source]
As described elsewhere, distal radius fractures are usually the result of a fall on an outstretched hand. In children and young adults, the force required for this sort of fracture is much higher (eg a fall off monkey bars or a car accident) whereas in older adults distal radius fractures tend to occur following a low energy fall from a standing height.[1]
Some distal radius fractures are managed conservatively, but many will require surgical fixation. We have provided detailed post operative protocols for Colles’ fractures fixed with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) volar lock in plate screws here and here.
As noted here, patients will need a volar distal orthosis fitted day one post surgery. Here we outline a simple method of fabricating this splint. These splints are preferable to a circumferential splint as they are easier to take on and off.[2] As this patient group have had ORIFs to stabilise their fracture, there is no need for them to be fully immobilised.[3][4] The splints are primarily used for protection (ie in case of fall or a blow to wrist).[2]
- ↑ Handoll HHG, Huntley JS, Madhok R. External Fixation versus conservative treatment for distal radial fractures in adults (Review). The Cochrane Library. 2008;4:1-78
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Thorn, K. Introduction to distal radius fracture [VIMEO]. Queensland: Physiopedia, 2019.
- ↑ Foster BD, Sivasundaram L, Heckmann N, Pannell WC, Alluri RK, Ghiassi A. Distal Radius Fractures Do Not Displace following Splint or Cast Removal in the Acute, Postreduction Period: A Prospective, Observational Study. J Wrist Surg. 2017;6(1):54–59.
- ↑ Andrade-Silva FB, Rocha JP, Carvalho A, Kojima KE, Silva JS. Influence of postoperative immobilization on pain control of patients with distal radius fracture treated with volar locked plating: A prospective, randomized clinical trial. Inquiry. 2019;50(2):386-391.
