Prospective RCT at a single pediatric hospital randomizing 113 children (age ≥4) with displaced distal third forearm fractures to short arm vs. long arm plaster cast. Primary question: does cast length affect the ability to maintain fracture reduction?
When casting a displaced distal third forearm fracture in a child ≥4 years old, a well-molded short arm plaster cast is as effective as a long arm cast and causes far less functional disruption — but the cast index must be ≤0.7, so prioritize molding quality over cast length.
If reduction is lost, look first at cast molding technique, not cast type.
Prospective RCT at a single pediatric hospital randomizing 113 children (age ≥4) with displaced distal third forearm fractures to short arm vs. long arm plaster cast. Primary question: does cast length affect the ability to maintain fracture reduction?
When casting a displaced distal third forearm fracture in a child ≥4 years old, a well-molded short arm plaster cast is as effective as a long arm cast and causes far less functional disruption — but the cast index must be ≤0.7, so prioritize molding quality over cast length.
If reduction is lost, look first at cast molding technique, not cast type.