Steps for manipulation and repositioning of distal radius fractures

The steps of manipulation for distal radius fracture, by way of example, are as follows: 1. First, have the patient sit on a stool or lie flat on a hospital bed, with the operator holding the patient’s wrist with both hands and the assistant holding the patient’s elbow or proximal forearm with both hands, slowly pull and stretch traction to correct overlapping displacement, then flex the wrist ulnar deviated wrist joint to correct dorsal and radial displacement; 2. For Smith fracture then after pulling and stretching traction to correct overlapping displacement, dorsal extension of the ulnar deviated wrist joint to correct the palmar and radial displacement, and fixation with the prepared splint and bandage; for Colles fracture, the dorsal and radial splint should exceed the wrist joint, while for Smith fracture the palmar and radial splint should exceed the wrist joint. During the whole repositioning process, the patient’s condition was closely observed, and the patient was carefully asked whether there was any discomfort such as chest tightness and heartburn. Carefully ask the medical history, for patients with primary diseases such as hypertension and myocardial ischemia, symptomatic treatment with appropriate drugs should be used before the manual repositioning to ensure the safety of the repositioning. Manual repositioning is an invasive treatment, so we should explain the relevant matters to the family and sign the informed consent form before the operation.