Abstract：Through searching domestic and foreign databases，the authors highlight the importance of the continuous improvement of small splints in the historical development after tracing the historical origins of small splints and Chinese medicine theories of external fixation technique. They also comprehensively expound from the mechanical design， material selection， functional diversification and other aspects of small splints. In the article，the authors summarize the application advantages and disadvantages of small splint external fixation technique in the treatment of distal radius fractures，which provides a theoretical and research basis for orthopedic researchers to further improve， explore more distinctive small splints for different types of distal radius fractures，and to improve clinical practice.