Short and Long-arm Fiberglass Cast Immobilization for Distal Salter Harris I and II Forearm Fractures in Children

Unterarm-Combicast Versus Oberarm-Combicast Bei Gelenknahen Distalen (Salter Harris I/II) Radius- Und Vorderarmfrakturen im Kindesalter

The aim of this study is to investigate whether short-arm fiberglass cast (SAC) immobilization provides fracture stabilization comparable to that of long-arm cast (LAC) treatment of displaced and non-displaced distal Salter Harris I/II forearm fractures in paediatric patients.

The patients are allocated randomly into the two groups(short-arm cast, long-arm cast). After confirming study participation, patients draw a sealed envelope enclosing a numbered card, which assignes them to one group or other. After choosing the envelope, neither the ED staff nor the parents and their childrenare blinded for the treatment groups. However, the data are going to be analyzed under blinded conditions

Inclusion Criteria:

• Salter Harris I or II fracture of the distal radius or a forearm fracture
• informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• open/instable/intraarticular fracture
• age <4 years or > 16years
• no informed consent