Treatment of impacted greenstick forearm fractures in children using bandage or cast therapy: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the relative risks and advantages of using soft bandage therapy (BT) for impacted greenstick fractures of the distal forearm compared with cast therapy (CT).

METHODS

At a single center from September 2005 to October 2006 all patients with an impacted greenstick fracture were randomized to BT or CT.

RESULTS

A total of 92 patients were randomized and assigned. No fracture displacement was seen. Three patients from the BT group were converted to standard treatment. A significant difference in pain was seen between both groups after 1 week in favor of the CT group. Discomfort was significantly less in the BT group compared with the CT group. After 4 weeks, the wrist function was significantly better in the BT group. After 6 weeks, the wrist functions of both the groups were comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

BT for impacted greenstick fractures of the distal forearm is a safe technique, patients treated with bandage suffer greater pain at the start of the treatment, are able to return to normal activities sooner, and have less discomfort when compared with the standard CT.