Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG38/5

Question

Treatment of torus fractures:- What is the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of no treatment for torus fractures of the distal radius in children compared with soft splints, removable splints or bandages?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- Torus fractures of the distal radius are among the most common fractures in children but management varies widely between immediate discharge from the emergency department to repeated outpatient reviews with casting and imaging. These fractures result from trauma to growing bones and account for an estimated 500,000 emergency department attendances a year in the UK. Current treatment often involves application of a bandage, or a removable cast or a soft cast, with review in outpatient clinics and repeated X-ray imaging. This is despite anecdotal evidence that treatment with simple analgesia and immediate discharge from the emergency department is safe and effective. There have been no studies comparing current treatments with no intervention in children with torus fractures. A randomised controlled trial is needed to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of no treatment compared with soft splints, removable splints or bandages.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Fractures (non-complex): assessment and management

Number

NG38

Date issued

February 2016

Other details