OBJECTIVE  To investigate the efficacy and safety of intelligent pneumatic splints compared with common splints in the treatment of unstable Colles fractures in a single-center, randomized, controlled, prospective study.

  METHODS  A total of 157 patients with unstable Colles fractures were included in the study, 127 of whom were splinted with common splints while 30 of whom were splinted with intelligent pneumatic ones. At 6 weeks of follow-up, the palmar inclination and ulnar deviation angles, Lidstrom imaging score, Gartland-Werley clinical function score, VAS pain score, as well as the number of splint adjustments and fracture resets were compared between the two groups. In addition, the complication rates of both groups were counted.

  RESULTS  There was a statistically significant difference in VAS pain scores at 28 and 42 days (P < 0.05). The number of intelligent pneumatic splint readjustments and fracture resets was fewer, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the ulnar and radial palm inclination angle, ulnar deviation angle, Lidstrom imaging score, as well as Gartland-Werley clinical function score between both groups at each follow-up time point (P>0.05). The skin and soft tissue complication area was significantly less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

  CONCLUSION  The intelligent pneumatic splint is better than the common splint in reducing the pain of Colles fracture, and reducing the number of splint adjustments and fracture resets. Besides, its intelligent pressure adjustment significantly reduces the incidence of local complications of fixation, which is worthy of clinical application.