Short-term efficacy of digitally-assisted traditional Chinese medicine manual reduction combined with 3D printed splint in the treatment of AO type-A distal radius fractures

Abstract

Objective To explore the short-term efficacy of digitally-assisted traditional Chinese medicine manual reduction combined with 3D printed splint in the treatment of AO type-A distal radius fractures, and explore the quantification of traditional Chinese medicine manual reduction and personalized improvement of splinting. Methods The clinical data of 50 patients with AO type-A distal radius fractures, who received treatment at the outpatient department of Cangzhou Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital in Hebei Province, were retrospective analyzed. The patient cohort included 22 females and 28 males, with ages ranging from 25 to 75 years old. Among them, 27 cases presented with distal radius fractures on the left side, and 24 cases on the right side. The patients were categorized into two groups: treatment group (n=25) and control group(n=25). There were 13 males and 12 females in the treatment group, with an average age of (56.2±5.5) years old. Treatment approach for this group involved several steps. Initially, Mimics Research software was used to conduct comprehensive analysis of complete CT data from the affected limb, resulting in the creation of a three-dimensional model. Subsequently, 3D models of the bones and skin contours, stored as STL format files, were imported into the Materialise Magics 23.0 software for model processing and repair. This facilitated the simulation of reduction and recording of displacement data, effectively generating a "digital prescription" to guide and quantify traditional Chinese medicine manipulation procedures. Finally, a personalized 3D printed splint was applied for fixation treatment. There were 15 males and 10 females in the control group, with an average age of (53.32±5.28) years old. These patients were treated with manualreduction combined with traditional splinting. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was assessed in terms of fracture reduction quality, fracture healing time, Gartland-Werley wrist joint score and X-ray parameters (palminclination angle, ulnar deviation angle, radius height) at 6 weeks post-operatively. Results The treatment group exhibited a shorter duration for achieving clinical healing compared to the control group (P<0.05). Six weeks post-operatively, the treatment group demonstrated higher wrist joint function scores, and a higher proportion of excellent and good outcomes than the control group(P<0.05). The treatment group was superior to the control group in terms of imaging parameters 6 weeks post-operatively (P<0.05). Conclusion By quantifying skin contours through digital simulation prescription reduction, a personalized 3D printed splint is developed to effectively stabilize fractures, enhancing localized fixation while ensuring greater adherence, stability, and comfort. This innovative approach offers personalized treatment for AO type-A distal radius fractures and presents a novel, precise treatment strategy for consideration.