Abstract
Patients with a nonoperatively treated fracture of the distal radius are often scheduled
for a follow-up appointment after cast removal to assess function and outcome. Our
experience is that, once the cast is off, many patients do not return. The purpose
of this study was to determine which variables significantly influence return for
a scheduled visit after cast removal. Thirty-seven patients enrolled in a prospective
cohort study (27 men and 10 women) with an average age of 49 years (range, 19 to 82)
had a distal radius fracture immobilized in a cast. During the visit at which the
cast was removed, arm-specific disability, misinterpretation of nociception, and symptoms
of depression were measured using validated questionnaires. Eleven of 37 patients
did not attend the final scheduled office visit and the only predictor of a return
visit was older age.
Keywords
Return - Cast - Removal - Distal radius - Nonoperative
