Interventions and X-ray Use in Korean Medicine Conservative Care for Distal Radius Fractures: A Scoping Review
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Objectives : This scoping review aimed to map intervention patterns and X-ray utilization in Korean medicine conservative care for distal radius fractures, together with reported clinical and safety outcomes.Methods : We conducted a scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.PubMed and CNKI were searched up to April 11, 2026, using terms related to distal radius fracture, conservative treatment, manual reduction, small splint fixation, redisplacement, Korean medicine, and traditional medicine.Eligible studies were primary clinical studies involving patients with distal radius fracture who received Korean medicine-related conservative care, including manual reduction, traditional bonesetting, small splint fixation, plaster fixation, herbal medicine, external application, fumigation, or washing therapy, and reported clinical or safety outcomes with radiological assessment.Results : Twenty studies were included, and all were conducted in China.Most studies centered on manual reduction or traditional bonesetting with small splint, splint, or plaster fixation.Some studies incorporated adjunctive oral herbal medicine, topical application, fumigation, or washing therapy.Symptom-, function-, or fracture-healing-related outcomes were frequently reported, but outcome measures, radiographic variables, follow-up time points, and safety reporting were heterogeneous.X-ray was used for diagnosis, post-reduction confirmation, alignment or redisplacement monitoring, and fracture union assessment.Conclusions : The included studies described conservative fracture care as a complex, multi-component approach rather than as a single-intervention approach.X-ray was used as a longitudinal management tool across the conservative care process.Future studies should standardize intervention components, clinical outcomes, radiological assessment time points and variables, and safety reporting.
Source: Korean Journal of Acupuncture
Institutions: Gachon University, Semyung University
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7166064320
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