Clinical Study on the Healing of Distal Radius Fractures With Conservative Treatment Assisted by Fu's Subcutaneous Needling

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) therapy combined with rehabilitation exercises in promoting fracture healing after conservative treatment of distal radius fractures (DRFs) in adult patients (aged 18-85 years) with acute DRFs. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does FSN therapy accelerate radiographic union compared to Sham FSN therapy?
* Does FSN therapy improve functional outcomes (e.g., pain, swelling, joint mobility) and anatomical stability (e.g., volar tilt, radial height) in DRF patients?

Researchers will compare the FSN therapy plus rehabilitation training group to the Sham FSN therapy plus rehabilitation training group to see if FSN provides superior clinical benefits in fracture healing and functional recovery.

Participants will:

1. Receive either FSN or Sham FSN therapy (12 sessions over 8 weeks) alongside standardized rehabilitation exercises.
2. Undergo periodic assessments (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12) for radiographic union, pain (VAS), swelling, wrist mobility, and functional status (DASH questionnaire).
3. Follow a phased rehabilitation protocol, including finger/shoulder exercises (weeks 1-3), gentle wrist movements (weeks 4-5), and resistance training (week 6 onward).

Conditions

• Distal Radius Fractures

Interventions

OTHER

FSN Therapy Combined with Rehabilitation Training

Prior to treatment, blinding will be ensured through the use of eye masks. Based on the "affected muscle theory," all forearm muscles within the splint-immobilized area will be considered as an affected muscle group and further subdivided into "flexor" and "extensor" subgroups according to functional anatomy. Two needle insertion points will be selected approximately 5 cm distal to the cubital crease, corresponding to the flexor and extensor muscle groups. Following standard disinfection of the insertion device and sites, a disposable FSN needle will be inserted subcutaneously into the superficial fascial layer, with the needle tip directed toward the affected muscle group. The needle core will then be retracted into the soft tube, ensuring no tip exposure, and the tube base will be secured within the handle slot. A 30° fan-shaped sweeping motion will be performed bilaterally at a frequency of 100 sweeps/min for 2 minutes.

OTHER

Sham FSN Therapy Combined with Rehabilitation Training

Patients randomized to this group will undergo the sham intervention in the same predetermined anatomical region. Prior to the procedure, eye masks will be applied to ensure blinding. The Sham FSN device, featuring a blunt tip, will generate a pricking sensation upon spring-loaded actuator deployment without actual skin penetration, maintaining parallel alignment to the epidermal surface. Following standard aseptic preparation, the acupuncturist will stabilize the needle body with the non-dominant hand while simulating insertion motions with the dominant hand, replicating the authentic FSN technique by retracting the stylet to the locking groove. The practitioner will then perform sweeping manipulations (ensuring continuous dermal contact during the procedure). Both the operational protocol and treatment course will be identical to those of the genuine FSN intervention group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jian Sun · Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine - Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Clinical Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-04-15

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2027-05-31

Countries

• China

Study Locations