Is reduction of routine radiograph use in patients with distal radius fractures cost effective? Analysis of data from the multicentre, randomised controlled WARRIOR trial.

Objective: To assess the cost effectiveness of a reduced imaging follow-up protocol of distal radius fractures compared with usual care.

Design: An economical evaluation conducted alongside a multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Setting: Four level-one trauma centres in the Netherlands.

Reduction of routine radiographs in the follow-up of distal radius and ankle fractures: Barriers and facilitators perceived by orthopaedic trauma surgeons.

Rationale, Aims, And Objectives: Studies suggest that routine radiographs during follow-up of distal radius and ankle fractures result in increased radiation exposure and health care costs, without influencing treatment strategies. Encouraging clinicians to omit these routine radiographs is challenging, and little is known about barriers and facilitators that influence this omission. Therefore, this study aims to identify barriers and facilitators among orthopaedic trauma surgeons that might prove valuable towards the design of a deimplementation strategy.

Routine Follow-Up Radiographs for Ankle Fractures Seldom Add Value to Clinical Decision-Making: A Retrospective, Observational Study.

Currently, the routine use of radiographs for uncomplicated ankle fractures represents good clinical practice. However, radiographs are associated with waiting time, radiation exposure, and costs. Studies have suggested that radiographs seldom alter the treatment strategy if no clinical indication for the imaging study was present.