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Enrolling by Invitation

NCT Number: NCT07234370

Distal Radial Fractures in Adult Patients: 4 Weeks Versus 6 Weeks of Cast Immobilization

Post-intervention outcomes comparing casting in distal radius fractures of four weeks versus six weeks.

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Key information

Conditions

Fracture Forearm Arm Injuries Fractures, Bone Radius Distal Fracture Wounds and Injuries Wrist Fractures Wrist Injuries

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Liaquat National Hospital

Karachi, Sindh, 74800, Pakistan

About this study

Cast immobilization for 6 weeks remains the mainstay of therapy for distal radius fractures. To challenge the therapeutic time frame, participants will be randomized into two arms, and the treatment arm will undergo immobilization for 4 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at cast removal and then at 3 and 6 months prospectively using the Quick-DASH score and the DASH score (only at 6 months).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients with DRF undergoing conservative management with cast immobilization
  • Age between 18 to 50 years.

Exclusion criteria

  • Any syndromic patients
  • Any patients with musculoskeletal disease
  • Patients having osteoporosis
  • Post-menopausal females
  • Smokers
  • Ages less than 18 or greater than 50
  • Patients presenting with intra-articular fractures

Treatment and study plan

Short Arm Cast for Distal Radius Fracture for four weeks

Procedure

Scotch cast immobilization below elbow for four weeks

Other names: Splint, Cast

Short Arm Cast for Distal Radius Fracture for six weeks

Procedure

Scotch cast immobilization below elbow for six weeks

Other names: Splint, Cast

Primary outcomes

  1. Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score (Quick DASH)

    Time frame: Four weeks (Cast Removal)

    Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH) score is calculated using a formula based on responses to an 11-item questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no disability and 100 indicates the most severe disability.

  2. Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH)

    Time frame: Six weeks (Cast Removal)

    Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH) score is calculated using a formula based on responses to an 11-item questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no disability and 100 indicates the most severe disability.

  3. Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH)

    Time frame: 3 months after cast removal

    Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH) score is calculated using a formula based on responses to an 11-item questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no disability and 100 indicates the most severe disability.

  4. Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH)

    Time frame: 6 months after cast removal

    Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH) score is calculated using a formula based on responses to an 11-item questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no disability and 100 indicates the most severe disability.

  5. Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score

    Time frame: 6 months post-removal of cast immobilizations

    The Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score (DASH) is a 30-item questionnaire with scores ranging from 1 to 5 for each item. The final scores are formulated from 0 to 100, where a higher score indicates greater disability and a lower score indicates little to no disability.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Radial Deviation

    Time frame: 6 months post-cast immobilization removal

    Radial deviation ranges from 15-25°. More deviation suggests more joint movement and is associated with better outcomes.

  2. Ulnar Deviation

    Time frame: 6 months post-cast immobilization removal.

    Ulnar deviation ranges from 30-45 °. More deviation suggests more joint movement and is associated with better outcomes.

  3. Dorsiflexion

    Time frame: 6 months post-cast immobilization removal.

    Dorsiflexion ranges from 8-26 °. More flexion suggests more joint movement and is associated with better outcomes.

  4. Palmar Flexion

    Time frame: 6 months post-cast immobilization removal.

    Palmar flexion ranges from 70-90 °. More flexion suggests more joint movement and is associated with better outcomes.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Distal Radial Fractures in Adult Patients: 4 Weeks Versus 6 Weeks of Cast Immobilization-A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Nov 18, 2025
Registry last updated
Nov 24, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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