Torus fracture recovery similar between kids with bandage or immobilization: Lancet

UK: In research, Daniel C. Perry and colleagues discovered no differences between groups in pain or function throughout the course of the 6-week follow-up period in children with a torus fracture of the distal radius. The findings of this study were published in The Lancet.

Children most frequently suffer from wrist torus (buckle) fractures. Treatment is in dispute, and options include anything from splint immobilization and release to cast immobilization, follow-up, and further imaging. In this study, pain and function were evaluated between children who received a light bandage and quick release and those who received strict immobilization and follow-up in accordance with the treatment center protocol.

965 kids (aged 4 to 15) with distal radius torus fractures were included in this randomized controlled equivalency experiment from 23 UK institutions. Using custom web-based randomization tools, children were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the offer of a bandage group or a rigid immobilization group. Clinicians, participants, and their families were all treated, so treatment allocation could not be concealed. Multiple injuries, diagnosis more than 36 hours after injury, and failure to complete follow-up were exclusion factors. The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale was used to assess pain three days after randomization as the main outcome. There was also a modified intention-to-treat and per protocol analysis.