Development of a model for teaching manipulation of a distal radial fracture

Recent reports indicate that there is a trend toward the use of models and simulators to teach basic orthopaedic operative skills. We describe a high-fidelity model for teaching basic orthopaedic fracture manipulation.

A model of a distal radial fracture was developed and validated by orthopaedic surgeons with different levels of experience, who examined and manipulated the model and then completed a structured questionnaire.

The participants mostly agreed (designated as 4 in the questionnaire) that the model performed well on the degree to which the manipulation represented real life. The participants agreed (designated as 5 in the questionnaire) that the model scored high on the appearance and feel of the fracture and its ability to be used as a teaching tool. There was no difference between perceptions of participants with regard to different levels of occupational experience or model use.

We believe that this model could be used to teach the skill of closed reduction of a distal radial fracture in the preclinical setting.