title: The effect of short arm cast length on forearm rotation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare ranges of active forearm pronation and supination with subjects wearing short arm casts of different lengths.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty right-handed healthy volunteers (20 men and 20 women) with an average age of 39 years (range, 26-58 y) were recruited. A goniometer with a circular plate and a handle connected to the scale indicator was used to measure forearm pronation and supination without a cast and with 3 different lengths of short arm cast. All casts extended from just proximal to the volar and dorsal aspects of metacarpophalangeal joints, and continued to either 2.5 cm distal to elbow flexion crease or 5 cm distal to the elbow flexion crease, or to the proximal one-third position between the wrist flexion crease and the elbow flexion crease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with no immobilization, the longest of the 3 constructs reduced active forearm rotation by 62%, whereas the cast to 5 cm from the elbow flexion crease reduced rotation to 50%, and the cast to the proximal one third of the way between the wrist and elbow flexion crease reduced rotation by 32%. Active forearm rotation was significantly dependent on cast length, and reductions in active forearm rotation were positively correlated with cast length.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limitation of active forearm rotation by a short arm cast is positively correlated with cast length.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When a short arm cast is used to limit wrist motion and forearm rotation, it is better to extend it proximally but not to impinge on the antecubital fossa, where skin breakdown may occur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: kimjk@ewha.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jae Kwang
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Soo
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011403:Pronation; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012399:Rotation; D013484:Supination
keywords: Forearm rotation; short arm cast