Comparison between collar and cuffs and above elbow back slabs in the initial treatment of Gartland type I supracondylar humerus fractures

Abstract

We compared two commonly used methods of immobilization of Gartland type I supracondylar humeral fractures, with respect to pain control, use of analgesia and sleep interruption. Forty patients were included in the study, collar and cuff immobilization (group 1, n=20) and above elbow back slab immobilization (group 2, n=20). Diagnosis was made in the accident department and patients were immobilized (collar and cuff or back slab) according to the preference of the treating doctor. Patients were then reviewed in the next available fracture clinic where they were assessed. The Wong-Baker faces scale was used to measure pain. Patients immobilized with a collar and cuff had an average pain score of 7.2 compared with 3.4 for those immobilized with a back slab (P<0.0001). Children in the collar and cuff group used analgesia at regular intervals nearly four times more often than those in the back slab group (P=0.005), and 85% of children immobilized with a collar and cuff had interrupted or no sleep throughout the night following the injury (P=0.008) compared with 45% of children in the back slab group. We conclude that immobilization of Gartland type I fractures with an above elbow back slab provides better pain relief and is more comfortable for paediatric patients than collar and cuff immobilization.