3. Below‐elbow versus above‐elbow casts trials: participant and intervention characteristics.

Study ID	No. participants Age	Fracture type	Below‐elbow cast	Above‐elbow cast	Duration of use
Bohm 2006	117 Mean: 8.6 years; range 4 to 12 years (eligible)	Displaced closed fracture of the distal third of the forearm (radial or radial and ulnar; no isolated distal ulnar fractures). Manual reduction	Full below‐elbow plaster cast	Above‐elbow plaster cast (below‐elbow applied first; then cast extended).	Casts removed after 6 weeks
Colaris 2012	66 Mean: 7.1 years; < 16 years	Minimally displaced metaphyseal fracture of the radius and ulna	Below‐elbow plaster cast (non‐circumferential).	Above‐elbow plaster cast (non‐circumferential)	Casts removed after 4 weeks
Paneru 2010	89 Mean: 8.4 years; range 4 to 12 years (eligible)	Displaced closed distal forearm fractures (combined radius and ulna fracture) Closed reduction	Full below‐elbow plaster cast	Above‐elbow plaster cast (below‐elbow applied first; then cast extended)	Not stated, probably casts removed after 6 to 8 weeks dependent on detection of union
Webb 2006	127 Mean: 9.8 years; range 4 to 12 years	Displaced (partially or completely) closed fracture of the distal third of the forearm (radial or radial and ulnar; no isolated distal ulnar fractures) Manual reduction	Full below‐elbow plaster cast	Above‐elbow plaster cast (below‐elbow applied first; then cast extended).	Casts removed after 4 weeks if evidence of healing. Otherwise extended 2 weeks (above‐elbow casts cut to below‐elbow)