Distal radius fractures: a prospective randomized comparison of fibreglass tape with QuickCast

Abstract

Cast immobilization remains the most commonly employed method in the treatment of distal radius fractures. In an effort to test a new shrinkable polymer-coated casting material (QuickCast), a prospective randomized study was performed on 30 consecutive distal radius fractures. Fractures were divided into three groups based on the severity of fracture and treated with either a conventional short-arm fibreglass tape cast or a QuickCast. Results showed no significant differences in minor cast complications or maintenance of fracture reduction between conventional fibreglass tape and the QuickCast material. The shrinkable QuickCast, however, resulted in an average of one less cast change in all groups. This reduction in time and labour must be weighed against the slightly increased cost of the QuickCast immobilizer.