Distal radius torus fractures are frequent in the pediatric population. They are stable and have an excellent prognostic. It has been shown that torus fractures can be treated safely and efficiently by softcast or brace, which can easily be removed at home by parents, thus, eliminating the need to have a 4-week follow-up. The primary objective is to assess the parental satisfaction regarding the absence of a systematic 4-week follow-up for distal radius torus fractures treated by softcast. The secondary objectives are the use of additional medical resources, the complication rate and the socio-economic impact of absenteeism from school and work. A case series was conducted amongst children from age 3 to 12 divided in two groups: 1) 4-week follow-up and x-ray (control) and 2) no 4-week follow-up and informative pamphlet (intervention). Two satisfaction questionnaires, SAPS and CSQ-8, were completed at the initial visit and at 4 weeks post-fracture. A home-made questionnaire was also completed to compile the hours of work and school missed by parents and patients at the end of the treatment. Between 2018 and 2021, 154 patients were included (77 controls and 77 interventions). Forty-nine percent and 73% of parents in the intervention group were very satisfied with the experience and care received according to SAPS and CSQ-8 questionnaires (vs 56% SAPS and 76% CSQ-8 for the control group). Eighty-eight percent of parents felt comfortable removing the softcast at home. In average, the intervention group spared 5 hours of work and school. Only 10% of patients had to consult more than once to fix the softcast. There was no complication reported during the study in both groups regarding the fracture. The absence of a systematic follow-up at 4 weeks for a distal radius torus fracture is acceptable for parents. It allows parents and patients to avoid absenteeism at work and school, reduces the amount of x-ray exposition among young children and the complication rate is null.
Bourguignon et al. (Wed,) studied this question.