Short arm cast is as effective as long arm cast in maintaining distal radius fracture reduction: Results of the SLA-VER noninferiority trial

Table 1 Baseline patient demographics

Characteristic	Group A (below-elbow cast)	Group B (above-elbow cast)	t-test (t) or Chi-squared test (χ2)	P value
Age (yr), mean ± SD	70.2 ± 13.7	69.5 ± 15.4	t = 0.42	P = 0.68
Sex, n (%)			χ2 = 0.02	P = 0.89
Male	19 (13)	19 (14)
Female	124 (87)	118 (86)
Osteoporosis, n (%)			χ2 = 1.53	P = 0.46
Yes	44 (31)	78 (57)
No	84 (59)	38 (28)
Missing	15 (10)	21 (15)
Type of fracture (AO classification), n (%)			χ2 = 0.20	P = 0.90
Type A	48 (34)	43 (31)
Type B	17 (12)	18 (13)
Type C	78 (55)	76 (55)
Stability of fracture (Lafontaine), n (%)			χ2 = 0.12	P = 0.73
Stable	68 (48)	68 (50)
Unstable	75 (52)	69 (50)

Table 2 Radiographic parameter comparison between below-elbow cast and above-elbow cast at baseline (post reduction) and at final control

Parameter	Group A (BEC), mean (95%CI)	Group B (AEC), mean (95%CI)	t-test (t) comparing groups	P value
Baseline (post reduction)
RL	11.31 mm (11.03; 11.60)	11.35 mm (11.05; 11.64)	t = -0.17	P = 0.86
RI	20.90° (20.41; 21.39)	21.08° (20.58; 21.59)	t = -0.50	P = 0.62
VT	-8.06° (-9.11; -7.01)	-6.55° (-7.56; -5.55)	t = -2.05	P = 0.04
Final control (35 d)
RL	9.73 mm (9.33; 10.12)	9.72 mm (9.35; 10.09)	t = 0.02	P = 0.99
RI	18.07° (17.42; 18.72)	18.54° (17.88; 19.19)	t = -1.01	P = 0.31
VT	-3.95° (-5.61; -2.29)	-3.03° (-4,35; -1,71)	t = -0.86	P = 0.39
Δ final control–baseline
Parameter
RL	-1.59 mm (-1.88; -1.29)	-1.63 mm (-1.89; -1.36)	t = 0.2	P = 0.84
RI	-2.83° (-3.37; -2.29)	-2.54° (-3.05; -2.03)	t = -0.77	P = 0.44
VT	4.11° (2.61; 5.61)	3.53° (2.22; 4.83)	t = 0.58	P = 0.56
Δ of loss of radiographic parameters during treatment (BEC–AEC)
Parameter	Group A-B, mean (95%CI)
RL	0.04 mm (-0.36; 0.44)
RI	-0.29° (-1.03; 0.45)
VT	0.59° (-1.39; 2.57)

BEC: Below elbow cast; AEC: Above elbow cast; RL: Radial length; RI: Radial inclination; VT: Volar tilt.

Table 3 Radiographic criteria for acceptability of reduction and percentage of maintenance of reduction comparison between below elbow cast and above elbow cast

	Type I (Graham)	Type II (Gliatis)	Type III (Aro and Koivunen)	Type IV (Fernandez)
Radiographic criterion/acceptable measurement
RL shortening	< 5 mm	< 5 mm	< 3 mm	< 3 mm
RI	≥ 15°	≥ 15°	≥ 15°	≥ 15°
VT	Between 15° and 20°	Between 10° and 20°	Between 15° and 20°	Between 10° and 20°
Maintenance, n (%)
Group A (BEC)	99 (69)	95 (66)	87 (61)	89 (62)
Group B (AEC)	106 (77)	101 (74)	87 (63)	83 (61)
Chi-squared test (χ2)	χ2 = 2.36	χ2 = 1.77	χ2 = 0.21	χ2 = 0.09
P value	P = 0.12	P = 0.18	P = 0.65	P = 0.75

BEC: Below elbow cast; AEC: Above elbow cast; RL: Radial length; RI: Radial inclination; VT: Volar tilt.