Is Univalving or Bivalving of Long Arm Casts for Forearm Fractures Necessary?

Summary

This study aims to examine the need for univalve or bivalve splitting of casts in pediatric patients with forearm fractures following closed reduction and cast application in a randomized, prospective fashion.

Conditions

• Fracture of Shaft of Radius and/or Ulna
• Metaphyseal Fracture of Bone of Upper Limb
• Fracture of Upper Limb, Level Unspecified

Interventions

PROCEDURE

No Split Cast of forearm fractures

Enroll 20 patients per arm: patients who present for long arm casts after closed reduction of forearm fractures will be randomized to one of 3 arms. Patients randomized to "No Split Cast" will have a cast that is not split, this is known as closed cast. The cast will be applied according to our Standard of Care casting. Patients will be then undergo follow-up for clinical and radiographic examinations based on the routine fracture management protocol for approximately 3 months.

PROCEDURE

Univalve Split Cast of forearm fractures

Enroll 20 patients per arm: patients who present for long arm casts after closed reduction of forearm fractures will be randomized to one of 3 arms. Patients randomized to "Univalve Cast" will have a cast that is split on only one side of the cast, this is known as univalve cast. The cast will be applied according to our Standard of Care casting. Patients will be then undergo follow-up for clinical and radiographic examinations based on the routine fracture management protocol for approximately 3 months.

PROCEDURE

Bivalve Split Cast of forearm fractures

Enroll 20 patients per arm: patients who present for long arm casts after closed reduction of forearm fractures will be randomized to one of 3 arms. Patients randomized to "Bivalve Cast" will have a cast that is split on both sides of the cast, this is known as bivalve cast. The cast will be applied according to our Standard of Care casting. Patients will be then undergo follow-up for clinical and radiographic examinations based on the routine fracture management protocol for approximately 3 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Connecticut Children's Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mark Lee, MD · Connecticut Children's Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

3 Years

Max Age

12 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2013-01-31

Primary Completion

2015-09-30

Completion

2015-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations