Analysis of orthotic treatment clinical efficiency for colles'' Fractures in orthotic department of healthcare facilities

The objective of the paper is to study clinical efficiency of orthotic management in patients with distal radius metaepiphysis fractures (Colles' fractures). Materials and Methods. A total of 80 patients were enrolled in the trial. The first group consisted of 40 patients who used orthoses as immobilization devices and means of early rehabilitation from the first days of treatment. The second group (control group) included 40 patients who used plaster bandages to fix the fracture. All the necessary orthoses were made in the orthotic department of the healthcare facility. The study of the nearest outcomes and analysis of patients' life quality was conducted. All the patients used orthotics as a part of complex treatment. Results and Discussion. The average length of hospital stay for patients with distal radius metaepiphysis fractures using orthotics was 8,7 days, while the length of hospital stay for patients using plaster bandages was 10,3 days. Quality-of-life study of 64 patients showed that the use of orthotics in patients with distal radius metaepiphysis fractures increases patients' quality of life in comparison to plaster immobilization technique, due to the fact that orthoses are less cumbersome, more hygienic, have relatively small weight, contribute to early rehabilitation and activity, and do not interfere with sanitary procedures. Better anatomical and functional treatment results were also achieved in the first group (27 patienst, 84,4 %) in comparison to those of the second group (22 parients, 68,7 %). Conclusion. Analysing the results of treatment of patients with distal radius metaepiphysis fractures using the method of orthotic management (in case of early orthosis production in the orthotic department of the healthcare facility) the authors came to the conclusion on the efficacy of the abovementioned method. This suggests the feasibility of establishing orthotic departments in different healthcare facilities.