DRF Reposition Manual Reduction vs Finger-trap Traction

NCT07697976 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: RepoDRF2AOTrauma Research Austria 2020
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Participants with distal radius fractures treated conservatively with cast immobilization are assigned to one of two approaches: (1) closed reduction under local anesthesia (hematoma block) followed by traction and casting, or (2) traction and casting without formal reduction. While reduction aims to restore anatomical alignment, loss of reduction may occur during follow-up. The study evaluates whether reduction under local anesthesia provides any benefit over traction alone. The hypothesis is that both treatments result in comparable radiographic alignment and functional outcomes at the end of treatment.

Conditions

Distal Radius Fractures

Keywords

radius fracture; finger-trap traction; manual reduction; closed reduction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain difference between the groups

  Comparison of the pain score in the course of the follow ups between the groups. 0= no pain 10 = worst pain (maximal pain)

  From enrollment (Baseline) to the 12month Follow Up.

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• MHQ Hand Score (Patient reported outcome)

  Enrollment until 12 month follow up

• PRWE - Patient reported outcome

  Enrollment until 12month follow up

• Grip strength

  12 weeks until 12mo Follow up

• Range of motion - functional outcome

  12 weeks until 12 mo follow-up

• Radiological outcome

  Enrollment until 12 month Follow up

Study Arms (2)

R: Manual Reduction

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Procedure: Manual reduction

A: Finger-trap traction

EXPERIMENTAL

Procedure: Finger-trap traction

Interventions

Finger-trap traction PROCEDURE

15 minutes finger-trap traction only and then cast application

A: Finger-trap traction

Manual reduction PROCEDURE

Hematoma block 5 mL 2% lidocaine, followed by 15 minutes finger-trap traction and then manual reduction + cast application

R: Manual Reduction

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Dorsally tilted distal radius fracture (DRF) \> 10° (intra-articular or extra-articular) Dorsal comminution of the distal radius fracture
• Fracture classification (AO), dorsally displaced:

You may not qualify if:

• Age under 18 years
• Non-displaced fractures of the radius
• Previous palmar displaced fractures of the radius
• Displacement greater than one shaft width
• Open fractures of the radius
• Bilateral radius fractures
• History of a previous radius fracture
• Inability to provide informed consent due to physical or mental disability
• Unavailability for follow-up examinations (e.g., abroad, polytrauma)
• Lack of full legal capacity
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Allergy to local anesthetics
• Median nerve irritation
• Pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University Innsbruck: lead

Study Sites (1)

Univ.-Klinik für Orthopädie und Traumatologie

Innsbruck, Tyrol, 6020, Austria

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Wrist Fractures; Radius Fractures; Taxis Response

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wrist Injuries; Arm Injuries; Wounds and Injuries; Fractures, Bone; Forearm Injuries; Behavior, Animal; Behavior; Orientation, Spatial; Spatial Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 22, 2026
• First Posted: July 13, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2018
• Primary Completion: July 31, 2022
• Study Completion: July 31, 2022
• Last Updated: July 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

AU (1)