The purpose of this study is to compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes after short versus conventional plaster cast fixation time in reduced distal radius fractures.
Displaced distal radius fractures treated with closed reduction and plaster cast fixation are radiographed 10 days (range 8-13 days) after reduction and randomized to one of two study arms; immediate removal of plaster cast or continued fixation in plaster cast for another 3 weeks. Radiographic and Clinical outcome measurements at 1, 4 and 12 months
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
109
Removal of plaster cast fixation 10 days after reduction
Radiographic displacement
Change in dorsal angulation, radial angulation and axial compression between follow-ups.
Time frame: At admission, 10 days, 1 month and 12 months
Grip strength
Grip strength compared to uninjured side at 1, 4 and 12 months
Time frame: Uninjured side. Injured side at 1, 4 , 12 months
Range of motion
Range of motion in dorsal extension, volar flexion, supination and pronation compared to uninjured side at 1, 4 and 12 months.
Time frame: Uninjured side. Injured side at 1, 4 and 12 months
Assessment of pain intensity
Average pain over the last 24 h assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 10 days, 1, 4 and 12 months
Time frame: 10 days, 1, 4 and 12 months
Assessment of functional outcome with three different functional assessment scores; 1,The modified de Bruijn wrist score 2, The modified Mayo wrist scoring chart 3, The Gartland and Werley Demerit wrist point system modified by Sarmiento.
The three functional assessment scores are composite outcome measures consisting of multiple measures (results to be reported as single values for each Group),
Time frame: 12 months
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