Focused rigidity casting: a prospective randomised study

Focused rigidity casting was compared with standard casting in a randomised prospective study. Two hundred consecutive patients attending a fracture c linic were assigned to have either a standard cast consisting of synthetic or plaster of paris, or a focused rigidity cast of synthetic material. Pati ents were assessed using a specially developed scoring system termed the Br adford Plaster Index. In patients with fractures of the base of fifth metat arsal, focused rigidity casting proved superior to traditional techniques f or ability score (p=0.0001), satisfaction score (p=0.0023), overall impairm ent of function (p=0.019), limitation of movement following cast removal (p =0.024) and in limitation of muscle strength following cast removal (p=0.00 1). In fractures of the distal radius, focused rigidity casting was superio r for ability score (p=0.0002) and satisfaction score (p=0.00009). Patients with scaphoid fractures were better for satisfaction score (p=0.0483). Com pared with the standard technique, focused rigidity casting has been shown to be superior to traditional methods with regard to satisfaction and funct ional scores without any detriment to clinical results.