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

The study is comparing the two most common treatments used throughout the UK.

One treatment is to put the arm in a plaster cast for four to six weeks.

There is evidence that children’s bones will naturally grow straight, though their arm may look a little bent for a few months, which can be distressing to some parents or children.

Healing may take longer and in rare cases, an operation may be required.

The other treatment is to put the bones back into the right position first, before putting the arm in a plaster cast.

Children will be sedated or given a general anaesthetic so they can’t feel anything.

Sometimes a cut needs to be made in the arm to insert plates or wires to hold the bones in position.

Occasionally the bone may move out of place or there may be an infection, both may require further treatment.

In the CRAFFT study, half the children will have their broken bone straighten naturally in a cast, and half will have their broken bone put back in position under sedation or during an operation.

To make things fair, the treatment will be decided using a computer.

If you join the CRAFFT 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 and or by e-mail.

We’ll ask you questions five times in the first year, then once a year for three years.

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