E-ISSN 1658-7820
 

Review Article
Online Published: 10 Oct 2025
 


Efficacy of different immobilization techniques for acute distal radius fractures in the Emergency Department: a systematic review

Hani Alsulaimany, Shaza Dheya Alothmany, Lama Waleed Almansouri, Layla Rabah Mulla, Haneen Khalid Khadawardi, Amira Hamed Albluwi, Emtenan Majdi Bukhari, Yara Mohammed Gadhiem, Sara Mohammed Gadhiem.


Abstract
Distal radius fractures constitute one of the most frequent upper limb injuries in emergency departments (EDs) and can be seen in pediatric, adult, and elderly patients. Immobilization is crucial in the conservative treatment of these fractures. Despite this, clinical practice is not completely consistent concerning the most effective technique of immobilization. This systematic review aimed to assess and compare the effectiveness of the various immobilization methods-regional volar splint clinching, sugar-tong splint, and long arm cast-in the emergency setting of acute distal radius fractures. A systematic search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to find original peer-reviewed studies published from 2015 to 2025. Articles that included adult and pediatric patients with acute distal radius fractures treated in the ED using different immobilization methods were reviewed. Reviews and meta-analyses were not included. Radiographic outcomes, complications, re-intervention rates, and patient satisfaction were extracted. Seven eligible articles, including more than 5,000 patients, were studied. The radiological outcomes of most techniques were comparable. Sugar-tong splints were found to control rotational instability better, whereas volar splints provided more comfort and patient satisfaction. Long arm casts were found to give a better sagittal alignment, however, with a higher complication rate. This research indicated that there is no universally superior immobilization technique. The type of selection must be based on fracture’s stability, patient comfort, and resource availability.

Key words: Distal radius fractures, emergency department, immobilization techniques, conservative management, Systematic review


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alsulaimany H, Alothmany SD, Almansouri LW, Mulla LR, Khadawardi HK, Albluwi AH, Bukhari EM, Gadhiem YM, Gadhiem SM. Efficacy of different immobilization techniques for acute distal radius fractures in the Emergency Department: a systematic review. IJMDC. Online First: 10 Oct, 2025. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1756666505


Web Style

Alsulaimany H, Alothmany SD, Almansouri LW, Mulla LR, Khadawardi HK, Albluwi AH, Bukhari EM, Gadhiem YM, Gadhiem SM. Efficacy of different immobilization techniques for acute distal radius fractures in the Emergency Department: a systematic review. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=281121 [Access: October 13, 2025]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1756666505


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alsulaimany H, Alothmany SD, Almansouri LW, Mulla LR, Khadawardi HK, Albluwi AH, Bukhari EM, Gadhiem YM, Gadhiem SM. Efficacy of different immobilization techniques for acute distal radius fractures in the Emergency Department: a systematic review. IJMDC. Online First: 10 Oct, 2025. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1756666505



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alsulaimany H, Alothmany SD, Almansouri LW, Mulla LR, Khadawardi HK, Albluwi AH, Bukhari EM, Gadhiem YM, Gadhiem SM. Efficacy of different immobilization techniques for acute distal radius fractures in the Emergency Department: a systematic review. IJMDC, [cited October 13, 2025]; Online First: 10 Oct, 2025. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1756666505



Harvard Style

Alsulaimany, H., Alothmany, . S. D., Almansouri, . L. W., Mulla, . L. R., Khadawardi, . H. K., Albluwi, . A. H., Bukhari, . E. M., Gadhiem, . Y. M. & Gadhiem, . S. M. (2025) Efficacy of different immobilization techniques for acute distal radius fractures in the Emergency Department: a systematic review. IJMDC, Online First: 10 Oct, 2025. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1756666505



Turabian Style

Alsulaimany, Hani, Shaza Dheya Alothmany, Lama Waleed Almansouri, Layla Rabah Mulla, Haneen Khalid Khadawardi, Amira Hamed Albluwi, Emtenan Majdi Bukhari, Yara Mohammed Gadhiem, and Sara Mohammed Gadhiem. 2025. Efficacy of different immobilization techniques for acute distal radius fractures in the Emergency Department: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, Online First: 10 Oct, 2025. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1756666505



Chicago Style

Alsulaimany, Hani, Shaza Dheya Alothmany, Lama Waleed Almansouri, Layla Rabah Mulla, Haneen Khalid Khadawardi, Amira Hamed Albluwi, Emtenan Majdi Bukhari, Yara Mohammed Gadhiem, and Sara Mohammed Gadhiem. "Efficacy of different immobilization techniques for acute distal radius fractures in the Emergency Department: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries Online First: 10 Oct, 2025. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1756666505



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alsulaimany, Hani, Shaza Dheya Alothmany, Lama Waleed Almansouri, Layla Rabah Mulla, Haneen Khalid Khadawardi, Amira Hamed Albluwi, Emtenan Majdi Bukhari, Yara Mohammed Gadhiem, and Sara Mohammed Gadhiem. "Efficacy of different immobilization techniques for acute distal radius fractures in the Emergency Department: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries Online First: 10 Oct, 2025. Web. 13 Oct 2025 doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1756666505



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alsulaimany, H., Alothmany, . S. D., Almansouri, . L. W., Mulla, . L. R., Khadawardi, . H. K., Albluwi, . A. H., Bukhari, . E. M., Gadhiem, . Y. M. & Gadhiem, . S. M. (2025) Efficacy of different immobilization techniques for acute distal radius fractures in the Emergency Department: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, Online First: 10 Oct, 2025. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1756666505





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