Finger Trap Traction and Distal Radius Fractures

Abstract

Distal radius fractures are among the most common fractures worldwide. Initial first aid treatment for any fracture is reduction, then to hold the reduction and then rehabilitate. It is common practice to attempt manual manipulation and if satisfactory reduction is not achieved the reduction is abandoned in favor of a manipulation in theater with or without K-wire fixation or open reduction and internal fixation. The finger trap method of applying traction to distal radius fractures is a technique many of us are aware of but have not actually attempted in clinical practice. Furthermore, there are no easily accessible articles describing its use. Therefore this article describes a case in which additional techniques of reduction of a distal radius fracture were used successfully and will help to inform on how to carry out this technique.