What are the most common complications of immobilization treatment? How to avoid them? Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date – our next literature review will be covering the evidence on casting complications. įor example, a non-inferiority trial on Weber type-B fractures found that the only clinically significant difference in treatment with a functional ankle brace or a below-knee circumferential cast was eight cases of deep vein thrombosis in the casting group (n=84) versus zero in the ankle brace group. This can cause joint stiffness and muscle atrophy, which may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Full casts can leave the joint completely immobilized for a prolonged time. There is also a greater risk of harm with circumferential casting. ![]() While full casts ensure rigid and secure fracture support, they do not provide any room for swelling, which can cause complications such as compartment syndrome. In other words: Less rigid treatment methods are as effective at promoting healing while reducing the risks associated with stiff, cast-type methods. Based on existing research, both treatment methods seem equally efficient and produce similar healing results. The most significant risk reduction seen in less rigid immobilization methods was the reduction in cases of deep vein thrombosis. The industry staple has many benefits, but also some downsides that are worth considering in light of new research. The most rigid immobilization method is circumferential casting. Would you like to read the full literature review? Download it here Splints and braces produce the same results as traditional casts, with less risk However, many studies on several different fracture types show the same pattern – that there were no marked differences at 1-year follow-up. The available evidence consists mostly of small RCTs, of which many are either methodologically flawed or underpowered to provide robust results. Splints and Functional Braces: a Review of the Current Evidence”, which can be downloaded from the link below. ![]() This is a summary of our white paper called “Circumferential Casting vs. Do splints, casts and braces lead to different outcomes? In this article, we look at the scientific evidence.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |