title: Minimally displaced distal radius fractures: do they need plaster treatment?
abstract: In a prospective, randomized trial, minimally displaced distal radius fractures were divided into two groups: those treated with plaster immobilization for 1 week compared with 3 weeks. Functional Cooney scores were determined at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. No statistical differences could be found in functional outcome between the groups at any time during the evaluation. Although patients did not allow immediate functional treatment in the presence of a fracture, we could not find any differences between 1 week or 3 weeks of plaster treatment. No further dislocation occurred, and all patients experienced eventful healing with good and excellent results in 92% of the cases. We believe, therefore, that only minimal immobilization is required in these fractures and that they should be mobilized as soon as comfort allows.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stoffelen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Broos
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors