The effectiveness of cast wedging for the treatment of pediatric fractures.

Abstract

We present the results of cast wedging for correction of alignment during the closed treatment of tibial and radial shaft fractures in children. We retrospectively reviewed the radiographic and clinical outcome of 249 cast wedges performed after reangulation of a previously manipulated tibial or radial shaft fracture. A mean improvement of close to 5 in coronal alignment was observed. A satisfactory outcome was obtained in 96% of patients with tibial fractures and 94% of patients with radial fractures. Cast wedging is a safe and effective tool for the treatment of angulated, pediatric tibial and radial shaft fractures.