BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (Apr 2024)

Radiographic and clinical outcomes of muenster and sugar tong splints for distal radius fractures: a comparative study

  • Young-Hoon Jo,
  • Myoung Keun Lee,
  • Young Seok Lee,
  • Wan-Sun Choi,
  • Joo-Hak Kim,
  • Jiwhan Kim,
  • Chang-Hun Lee

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07362-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract Background Non-operative management is typically indicated for extra-articular distal radius fractures. Conservative treatments such as Sugar tong splints (STs) and Muenster splints (MUs) are commonly used. However, there is limited research and outcome data comparing the two splint types. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate and compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes of treatment using STs and MUs. Methods In this retrospective comparative study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes of STs and MUs for the treatment of distal radius fractures. The study included 64 patients who underwent closed reduction (CR) in the emergency room and were treated with either STs or MUs splints (STs group: n = 38, MUs group: n = 26). Initial X-rays, post-CR X-rays, and last outpatient follow-up X-rays were evaluated. Radial height (RH), ulnar variance (UV), radial inclination (RI), and volar tilt (VT) were measured by a blinded investigator. The Quick DASH form was applied to measure patients’ satisfaction after treatments. Results There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, initial radiographic measurements, or radiographic measurements immediately after CR between the two groups. However, the overall radiological values deteriorated to some degree in both groups compared to the post-CR images. Furthermore, using a paired test, the STs group showed significant differences in RH and RI, and the MUs group showed significant differences in RH and UV between the last follow-up and post-CR images. Conclusions The study concluded that there was no difference in clinical outcomes between the two splint types. However, both STs and MUs groups showed reduced radiographic parameters, and the MUs group showed a significant reduction of RH and UV in the treatment of distal radius fractures. Level of evidence Level IV; Retrospective Comparison; Treatment Study.

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