Riassunto dello studio

One hundred patients with fractures of the humerus, elbow, or forearm were randomized to receive either a rigid long arm plaster splint (n=51) or a soft dressing (n=49). The primary outcome of interest was patient-reported pain, measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included physical function, as assessed by the EuroQol 5 Dimension (EQ-5D), health scale scores, and elbow range of motion. Outcomes were assessed on postoperative days 1-5 and day 14, with further follow-up assessments up to 10 months. Overall, the study found no significant difference in pain scores between the groups, although patients in the splint group reported slightly higher health scale scores early postoperatively. These findings suggest that both treatment strategies are acceptable, with no clear advantage for splinting over early mobilization in terms of pain, function, or healing outcomes.