American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam

The sugar-tong splint is the preferred choice for immobilizing a radial fracture because it offers stability and support to the wrist and forearm while allowing for necessary motion of the fingers. This type of splint encircles the arm from the elbow to the wrist, providing a secure configuration that effectively holds the forearm in a position that reduces motion at the fracture site. Furthermore, the sugar-tong design limits both flexion and extension at the elbow, which is essential in managing many types of forearm fractures, including those involving the radius. This approach reduces pain and discomfort associated with movement and helps to prevent complications like malunion or nonunion by ensuring that the bone fragments remain aligned during the healing process. In contrast, while a long arm posterior splint provides good immobilization, it may restrict more motion than necessary for the fingers, which could lead to stiffness. The radial gutter splint is specific for injuries involving only the radial side of the wrist and hand, making it less applicable for comprehensive radial fracture immobilization. The thumb spica splint is tailored for injuries involving the thumb and may not effectively stabilize all types of radial fractures. Thus, the sugar-tong splint stands out as the most versatile and effective option for this