A simple alternative to Chinese finger traps for wrist fracture reduction

Background

Chinese finger traps can be used to aid closed reduction of wrist fractures by gravity-aided countertraction, ligamentotaxis and disimpaction.¹ However, they are expensive and are often not available. We describe a simple and cheap alternative to Chinese finger traps using modified skin traction tape from a Thomas splint application kit.

Technique

Skin traction adhesive tape is cut to the appropriate size and applied vertically across the palm of the affected arm to include the thumb, index and middle fingers. The attached cord is then tied to a drip stand, ensuring that the forearm is kept at a right angle, and the index/middle fingers are in line with the forearm to provide ulnar deviation (Fig 1). Strips of adhesive bandage tape can be placed circumferentially around the palm and a pillow or padded arm board placed below the arm as a ‘failsafe’; although this has never been necessary in our practice.

Figure 1.

Thomas splint skin traction kit used for gravity-assisted reduction of a closed wrist fracture.