DRF Reposition Manual Reduction vs Finger-trap Traction (RepoDRF2)

Unterschied Der Reposition in Bruchspaltanästhesie Zur Reposition im Aushang Bei Einer Distalen Radiusfraktur - Eine Prospektiv Randomisierte Studie

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Distal Radius Fractures
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Manual reduction; Procedure: Finger-trap traction

Detailed Description

Participants have sustained a distal radius fracture treated with cast immobilization. Two common conservative management approaches are being compared: (1) closed reduction under a local anesthetic (hematoma block) followed by traction and casting, and (2) immobilization after traction alone without formal reduction under anesthesia.

While the first method aims to restore anatomical alignment initially, loss of reduction may occur over time. The second method improves alignment but does not attempt full anatomical reduction.

The study hypothesis is that both approaches result in similar wrist alignment and functional outcomes after completion of treatment. The objective of this study is to determine whether reduction under local anesthesia followed by traction provides any advantage over traction alone in patients with distal radius fractures.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 64
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Austria
  • Tyrol
    • Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria, 6020
      • Univ.-Klinik für Orthopädie und Traumatologie

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Dorsally tilted distal radius fracture (DRF) > 10° (intra-articular or extra-articular) Dorsal comminution of the distal radius fracture

Fracture classification (AO), dorsally displaced:

• A2
• A3
• C1
• C2
• C3

Exclusion Criteria:

• 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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: R: Manual Reduction	Procedure: Manual reduction; Hematoma block 5 mL 2% lidocaine, followed by 15 minutes finger-trap traction and then manual reduction + cast application
Experimental: A: Finger-trap traction	Procedure: Finger-trap traction; 15 minutes finger-trap traction only and then cast application

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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 Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
MHQ Hand Score (Patient reported outcome)	Difference in functional outcome measured with MHQ (Michigan Hand Outcome Questionaire) between the two groups. 0 points= very poor hand function / maximum impairment; 100 points → optimal hand function, no impairment.	Enrollment until 12 month follow up
PRWE - Patient reported outcome	Difference in functional outcome measured with PRWE (Patient-rated wrist evaluation) between the two groups. 0 points= optimal hand function, no impairment; 100 points → very poor hand function / maximum impairment.	Enrollment until 12month follow up
Grip strength	Difference in grip strength measured with dynanometer between the two groups. Grip strength is compared to the contralateral non-injured wrist.	12 weeks until 12mo Follow up
Range of motion - functional outcome	Difference in functional outcome (range of motion) measured with goniometer after treatment between the two groups. Range of Motion is compared to the contraltaeral non-injured wrist.	12 weeks until 12 mo follow-up
Radiological outcome	Difference in radiological outcome between the two groups; especially, dorsal tilt, radial inclination and ulnar variance.	Enrollment until 12 month Follow up
Complications	Complications between the two groups.	After treatment until 12 month Follow up

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Medical University Innsbruck

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 1, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 31, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): July 31, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 22, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 6, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 13, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 6, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: closed reduction; radius fracture; finger-trap traction; manual reduction
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Fractures, Bone; Arm Injuries; Forearm Injuries; Wrist Injuries; Behavior; Behavior, Animal; Spatial Behavior; Orientation, Spatial; Wrist Fractures; Radius Fractures; Taxis Response
• Other Study ID Numbers: RepoDRF2; AOTrauma Research Austria 2020 (Other Grant/Funding Number: AO Trauma)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No