Soft bandage, splint or cast as the treatment of distal forearm torus fracture in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Review written by Dr Ian Gatt info

Key Points

  1. Use of splint appears to have advantage over casting in terms of satisfaction and return to activity.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Torus fracture of the forearm is one of the most common fractures in children (1,2). Torus fracture is an incomplete fracture in which the impact compresses the bony cortex on one side while the other side remains intact, creating a bulging effect.

Casting has traditionally been used in the management of forearm torus fracture, however, this approach requires more healthcare staff and material resources compared to lighter treatment options, such as splint or soft bandage (3). Splint or soft bandage appear to lead to similar results compared to casting (4,5).

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare soft bandage, splinting and casting as the treatment of distal forearm torus fracture in children with two comparisons; 1) splint versus cast, and 2) bandage versus rigid immobilization (i.e. splint or cast).

Torus fracture of the forearm is one of the most common fractures in children.
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Splinting of distal forearm torus fracture in children may be associated with faster return to activities, less problems related to the immobilization device, and equal or better patient satisfaction.

METHODS

  • Only original peer-reviewed human studies published in English, with children aged from less than 18 years with radiologically confirmed torus fracture of distal radius and/or ulna (later referred to as distal forearm), were included. Studies focusing on complete distal forearm
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