Wrist fracture - new cast/removeable splint

[Butternutissquashed]

DS 22 cracked a bone in his wrist (radius) on Boxing Day and currently has it in a half cast, which is hard on the top and soft underneath. When he returns to fracture clinic, will they give him another cast or a splint? I haven’t seen many people in casts in recent years so was wondering if the newest way is to use the removable type?
He swims so is getting a bit twitchy. From what he said, it was quite a small crack in the bone, rather than anything terrible.

Totally depends on the fracture and consultant no one on MN can give you an accurate answer

We’ve had a few broken wrist / arm bones over the last few years and there certainly seems more of a push to splints / removable casts. Apparently it helps maintain mobility etc.

Certainly for small fractures(green stick fractures) we were told they don’t cast at all anymore. Just a splint. More severe breakages, there were two, it was surgery and a plate internally. I was told by a surgeon that in the old days they might of realigned the bones and put on a plaster cast but tended to poor long term outcomes. I personally had a very nasty break in my wrist and it’s recovered really well.

It’s very outcome led although I’d admit I felt that I could of done with more support at the time. It was very painful and they didn’t recommend a sling etc.

True! I was just wondering if there was more of a move away from the traditional cast these days.