Cast Wedging in Pediatric Forearm and Tibia Fractures-A Safe Way to Avoid Surgery.

Abstract

Background: Cast wedging is an established technique used to improve the alignment of pediatric fractures. The purpose of this study was to review the effectiveness of cast wedging to treat malaligned pediatric fractures and report the incidence of complications and failure associated with cast wedging.

Methods: A retrospective review of a level one pediatric trauma center was performed. Children aged 3 to 18 who underwent cast wedging following a forearm shaft, distal radius, or tibia shaft fracture (January 2005 to January 2021) were reviewed. A total of 294 patients were identified for analysis. Coronal and sagittal angles were measured throughout the course of fracture management. Improved radiologic correction was defined as at least a 50% correction of malalignment in the plane of maximum deformity. Complications associated with cast wedging were recorded, and wedging failure was defined as patients who underwent a secondary procedure. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables affecting outcomes and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were estimated for final model effects.

Results: Cast wedging generated a median 56% correction in angulation, with 74% of the cohort (217/294) achieving at least 50% correction. Twenty-two patients (7%) failed wedging treatment, with half undergoing a repeat closed reduction (12/22, 55%). Eighteen patients (6%) experienced at least 1 complication. Nine patients (3%) sustained a refracture after wedging an average of 8.9 months from the initial injury. Multivariable analysis identified older patients and those who did not achieve 50% radiologic correction after wedging to have increased odds of repeat surgery (OR=1.17; P=0.04 and OR=11.1; P=0.001, respectively).

Conclusions: Cast wedging is a safe and effective method to correct malaligned pediatric fractures with a low incidence of complications and refracture. Cast wedging remains an important skill for orthopaedic surgeons managing pediatric fractures.

Level of evidence: Level IV.