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Buckle fractures of the wrist are common in children. A short arm cast has been the traditional method of immobilization for such injuries, but splinting has been advocated as an alternative. Researchers in an Ottawa emergency department studied 87 children (age range, 6–15 years) with wrist buckle fractures. Patients were randomized to short arm plaster casts or to individually fitted, removable plaster splints. Outcome measures were recorded weekly for 28 days and included a validated measure of childhood physical disability (the ASKp score), a pain score, reports of difficulty in performing daily activities, and date of return to sports activities.
ASKp scores were obtained weekly by telephone in a nonblinded fashion, and ASKp score at 14…