This is a website about the SCIENCE study to help you decide if you want to take part
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Why is it happening?

SCIENCE is a study is trying to improve the treatment of children who have a broken bone in the elbow called an ‘epicondyle fracture’.

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What is being tested?

This study will compare the two commonly used treatments used across the UK.

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Why has my child been asked to take part?

Your child has got this type of broken bone.

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Does my child have to take part?

You are free to decide if you want your child to take part

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What will happen if my child takes part?

What will happen if my child takes part?

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What treatment will my child receive?

Your child will either be treated with a cast or splint, or with an operation.

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What are the risks of taking part?

Each of these routinely used treatments has potential advantages and disadvantages.

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What will happen if my child wants to leave the study?

You and your child can leave the study at any time.

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Will we be informed of the results of the study?

The results will be anonymised and available to you online.

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What treatment will my child receive?

We will involve around 334 children and young people from across the UK, with the same injury as your child/relative.

We will treat about 167 children by resting the arm in plaster cast for up to 4 weeks, to allow it to heal by itself.

We will treat about another 167 children with surgery to fix the bone, usually with a screw and resting the arm in a splint or cast for up to 4 weeks.

Why are there two groups?

Dan, SCIENCE study doctor

The way we compare the treatments fairly is to create two groups of children who are the same, by a process called randomisation. You can’t choose the treatment, and neither can the doctors, otherwise the groups would not be the same. When we have groups of patients who are as identical as possible, we can then compare them fairly in terms of outcomes.

How is the treatment decided?

Shrouk, SCIENCE study doctor

What is it like not being able to choose the treatment my child receives?

Rebecca, Parent of participant in a similar study