Methods

A prospective randomised design was undertaken to evaluate childhood distal radius fractures over a 2-year period presenting to a single institution. Multiple exclusion criteria were levied, including age outside the range 5–12 years, physeal fracture, buckle fracture, angulation greater than 18°, injury older than 5 days or multiple injuries. If they met these criteria, patients could refuse participation, present outside enrolment hours or occasionally research staff were not notified.

Once enrolled in the study, the children were randomised by a computer program to either of the two treatment groups: short-arm fibreglass cast versus a prefabricated removable wrist splint. Outcomes included the outcome measure Activities …