The DRIFT study is trying to find out the best way to treat children who have broken their wrist and the bones have moved out of place.

The study is comparing two common treatments used throughout North America.

One treatment is to put the arm in a cast for four to six weeks and let it heal.

The other treatment is to have a procedure to put the bones back into position when sedated or asleep.

Both treatments have been found to have good results.

In the cast treatment, based on experience with broken arms like yours, we expect that children’s bones will naturally grow straight, though their arm may look a little bent for a few months.

The way the arm looks as it heals could bother some parents or children.

In the treatment where there is a procedure to put the bones back into position before putting the arm in a cast, children will be given medicine to help them relax or fall asleep as they can’t feel anything.

Both of these treatments have been found to have good results.

Researchers across North America, like your child’s doctor, are not sure which way helps the bones heal best.

In rare cases an operation may still be required.

In the DRIFT study, half the children will be put immediately in a cast, and half will have their broken bone put back into position.

To compare these two groups of children fairly, you won’t be able to choose which treatment your child has, and neither can your child’s doctor.

This is called randomization.

If you join the DRIFT study, we will ask you questions about how your child uses the arm, any pain they feel, and if they’ve missed any school.

We will send these questions by text message or by e-mail.

We will ask you the questions 4 times in the first year, and we will contact you once a year for 3 years after your injury.

Your doctors, nurses and research team are happy to answer any questions that you may have about joining the DRIFT study.