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Three Part Question

In [patients with clinical signs of scaphoid fracture but no fracture on first x-ray] is [plaster casting] necessary for [immediate management and the prevention of long-term complications]?

Clinical Scenario

A 25-year-old man attends the emergency department with a one-day-old wrist injury caused by falling onto his outstretched hand. He is tender in his anatomical snuff box and also on longitudinal thumb compression, but he is in very little pain on normal everyday movements. You send him for a scaphoid series of x-rays which reveal no fracture. You arrange for him to return to the department in two weeks time for a repeat radiological and clinical examination. You wonder whether his wrist should be immobilised in a plaster cast or whether a simple elastic support bandage will suffice.