BET 1: should Colles' fractures be splinted in a long or short arm cast?

A short-cut review of the available medical literature was carried out to establish whether elbow immobilisation is required after closed reduction of a distal radial fracture. After abstract review, six papers were found to answer this clinical question using the detailed search strategy. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. It is concluded that elbow immobilisation is not required.