Minimalistic approach to treating wrist torus fractures

Thirty-three patients with unilateral wrist torus fractures were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were all treated with a removable plaster-of-Paris volar forearm splint and a symptom-based splinting protocol. This protocol emphasized the parents and patients deciding when to wean from the splint as their symptoms improved. Patients were followed about 4 weeks after fracture, and initial and follow-up radiographs were compared for any changes in fracture angulation. All of the fractures healed without significant clinical change in angulation or complications. The authors propose the following treatment protocol: radiographic diagnosis and application of the removable splint in the emergency department, and one orthopaedic office/clinic visit to confirm the diagnosis and provide splinting instructions. The elimination of the additional orthopaedic visit for repeat radiographs and cast removal reduces the family's time lost from school and work and the physician's time and costs.