Blood Flow Restriction Therapy after Closed Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures

Thirteen patients scheduled for closed reduction for the treatment of a displaced distal radius fracture were randomized to receive a distal radius fracture rehabilitation program with or without the use of a tourniquet for blood flow restriction. The outcomes of interest included pain during rest and activity (measured on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS)), grip strength, pinch strength, the patient reported wrist evaluation (PRWE), the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and radiological assessments (radial height, radial inclination, ulnar variance, tear drop angle, articular diastasis, volar tilt). Clinical evaluation was performed 4 and 8 weeks after the initiation of rehabilitation, which began 6 weeks after closed reduction and subsequent casting. The results of the study revealed no significant differences between the blood flow restriction and no blood flow restriction groups in all outcomes, at all time points. However, the change from baseline in VAS pain during activity and PRWE score was significantly in favour of the blood flow restriction group.