Treatment of comminuted distal radial fractures with preliminary horizontal finger trap traction and a Roger-Anderson...

Over a five-year period, 43 patients with comminuted distal radial fractures were treated with a Roger-Anderson external fixation device after the fracture was aligned in Strong's horizontal finger trap traction. Nineteen patients (21 wrists) were available for personal interview and radiographic follow-up. A 0.5-mm loss of radial height and an average loss of 2.4 degrees of palmar angulation presented. Range of motion (ROM) was excellent, stiffness was nonexistent or minimal in 81%, pain was nonexistent or minimal in 86%, and weakness of grasp was nonexistent or minimal in 81%. Complications were minimal; they included three pin tract infections, two of which required pin removal before they resolved. One patient fractured a pin that also required removal. Strong's horizontal finger trap traction and the Roger-Anderson external fixation device simplified the sometimes difficult treatment of this fracture. It seems to be most effective in young athletic individuals who have good bone stock and very comminuted fractures.