Development of clinically adjustable method for immobilization of distal radius fractures

Wrist fractures are the most common injury treated in the emergency department. The current standard for treating these fractures is realigning the bones and applying plaster or fiberglass
cast to maintain position. Most often, plaster casts are used as the primary option and the patient gets a fiberglass cast after the initial few weeks. Although the current method works, it
is outdated, inefficient, and inconvenient for the patient and clinician. The casting quality check is often subjective and may result in errors or recasting the fracture. Our hypothesis is that introducing an immobilization method which is as effective as a plaster cast while adding adjustability properties would reduce the physician workload and quality of patient care. The expected benefit to the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute is that the spinal cord injured population has a relatively high incidence of bone fractures and the healing process is lengthy, therefore Praxis clients can potentially greatly benefit from an improved method of treating fractures.

Faculty Supervisor:

Roger Tam

Student:

Partner:

Praxis Spinal Cord Institute

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Sustainability & the Environment; Clean Technology

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: