title: Radiographic results after plaster cast fixation for 10 days versus 1 month in reduced distal radius fractures: a prospective randomised study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to examine whether reduced distal radius fractures can be treated with early mobilisation without affecting the radiographic results.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective randomised study, 109 patients (mean age 65.8 (range 50-92)) with moderately displaced distal radius fractures were treated with closed reduction and plaster cast fixation for about 10 days (range 8-13 days) followed by randomisation to one of two groups: early mobilisation (n = 54, active group) or continued plaster cast fixation for another 3 weeks (n = 55, control group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  For three patients in the active group (6%), treatment proved unsuccessful because of severe displacement of the fracture (n = 2) or perceived instability (n = 1). From 10 days to 1 month, i.e. the only period when the treatment differed between the two groups, the active group displaced significantly more in dorsal angulation (4.5°, p < 0.001), radial angulation (2.0°, p < 0.001) and axial compression (0.5 mm, p = 0.01) compared with the control group. However, during the entire study period (i.e. from admission to 12 months), the active group displaced significantly more than the controls only in radial angulation (3.2°, p = 0.002) and axial compression (0.7 mm, p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early mobilisation 10 days after reduction of moderately displaced distal radius fractures resulted in both an increased number of treatment failures and increased displacement in radial angulation and axial compression as compared with the control group. Mobilisation 10 days after reduction cannot be recommended for the routine treatment of reduced distal radius fractures.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrail.gov, NCT02798614 . Retrospectively registered 16 June 2016.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Science, Orthopaedics, Uppsala University, S-75185, Uppsala, Sweden. albert.christersson@akademiska.se.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christersson
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Science, Orthopaedics, Uppsala University, S-75185, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Sune
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Nyköping Hospital, S-61185, Nyköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Östlund
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Science, Orthopaedics, Uppsala University, S-75185, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sandén
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D003100:Colles' Fracture / Q000601:surgery*; D004434:Early Ambulation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Closed reduction; Conservative treatment; Distal radius fracture; Early mobilisation; Plaster cast; Prospective; Radiographic evaluation; Randomised