A retrospective cohort study of distal radius fracture manipulation under different traction methods and different analgesic modalities and its impact on surgical rates.

PURPOSE: Distal radius fractures commonly present to emergency departments. Manipulation methods include manual traction (MT) and finger trap traction (FTT), combined with haematoma block, Bier’s block or entonox. Whilst previous studies assessed outcomes via radiological parameters, pain, and complications, none evaluated surgical rates as a measure of successful reduction. This study compares manipulation methods and their impact on surgical intervention rates.

METHODS

Retrospective data were collected between December 2019 and December 2024. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 18–65 years with isolated, closed distal radius fractures and dorsal angulation. 149 patients were grouped into FTT + Bier’s block, FTT + haematoma block or MT + entonox. Radiological parameters (volar tilt, radial height and radial inclination) were measured at multiple timepoints to assess adequacy of reduction. Multinomial logistic regression examined associations between manipulation method and patient characteristics. Binary logistic regression (adjusted for gender) assessed odds of requiring surgery.

RESULTS

Initial fracture characteristics (radial angulation, radial height, volar tilt) were similar across groups. Age was not significant (p = 0.279), but males were more common in the FTT + Bier’s group (p = 0.007). MT patients were 2.94 more likely to require surgery compared to those with FTT (OR 2.94; CI 1.17–7.76). No significant difference in surgical rates was found between the two FTT groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Manual traction is associated with higher surgical rates compared to finger trap traction; however anaesthetic type did not influence outcomes. These findings support further investigation into FTT as the preferred reduction method for distal radius fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.