A randomized controlled trial of adults and children comparing longevity of Plaster of Paris and synthetic casts in people with undisplaced forearm fractures.

Not Applicable

• Conditions: fracture; Injuries and Accidents - Fractures

• Registration Number: ACTRN12621000892819
• Lead Sponsor: Casey Hospital

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2021-07-08
• Last Update Posted: 12 July 2021

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ot yet recruiting
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 110

Inclusion Criteria

Patients to be included must meet the following criteria:

1. Paediatric including and over the age of 5 years of age and adults
2. Fracture acutely sustained (previous 72 hours), undisplaced forearm fracture (including distal radius and/or ulna [epiphysis/metaphysis]
3. Below elbow circumferential casting is the management in accordance to Monash Health Orthopaedic recommendations.
4. Ongoing conservative management is planned
5. Ongoing management expected to take place within Monash Health (Monash Emergency and Monash Orthopaedic units)
6. Able to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients will be excluded if they have any of the following conditions:

1. Compound (open) fracture
2. Significant swelling and/or neurovascular compromise such that initial backslab (rather than circumferential casting) is recommended.
3. Isolated proximal forearm fractures such as radial head/neck, olecranon or coronoid process fractures of ulna(displaced or undisplaced).
4. Any forearm fracture or fracture-dislocation for which operative management is recommended (acute or delayed).
5. Inability to understand the study explanation/requirements for any reason (e.g. language difficulties, abnormal/reduced cognitive state).
6.Adequate circumferential cast already in place (from GP or non-Monash referring hospital).
7.Fracture requiring surgical stabilisation

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The primary outcome measure in this study will be the number of cast used in the immobilization of a fracture. <br><br>This information will be obtained from the medical records from the hospital as well as data collected at the fracture clinic reviews. The plaster technicians will fill in an Interim Case Report which will gather data on why the cast was changed, where it was changed. This will be cross referenced to the medical records<br>[This will be calculated from the initial Emergency Department cast until the final cast is removed at the fracture clinic (usually around 6 weeks) <br>]