Venous perfusion assist system has no additional effect compared to simple elevation on post-operative edema in patients with distal radial fracture treated with volar locking plate fixation: A randomized controlled trial

102 patients scheduled for a volar locking plate fixation of a distal radius fracture were randomized to receive venous pressure assist system (VPAS) therapy or hand elevation for the reduction of hand edema following surgery. The primary outcome of interest was the reduction in hand edema, measured by hand and finger girth. Secondary outcomes of interest included pain on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), finger flexion measured with pulp-palm distance (PPD), wrist range of motion in flexion-extension, forearm range of motion in pronation-supination, grip strength (percentage of contralateral hand), the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, the patient reported wrist evaluation (PRWE), the the incidence of complications. Follow up was performed up to 12 weeks post-operation. Results revealed no significant differences between the VPAS and elevation groups in all outcomes, at all time points. No cases of complication were reported in either group.