Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

For the non-surgical treatment of distal radius fractures in adults a variety cast options are available, including or not the elbow joint. The literature is inconclusive regarding the need to immobilize the elbow joint after reduction of the distal radius fracture.This study was undertaken to evaluate the best method of immobilization between the above and below-elbow cast groups at the end of 6 months of follow-up.


Clinical Trial Description

To determine the best method of immobilization ( below elbow versus above elbow splint) in patients with distal radius fractures at the end of 6 months of follow-up:

- Type of study: Prospective, randomized and controlled trial.

- Patient recruitment: Adults attended in emergency room with closed acute displaced distal radius fracture will be reduced under general venous anesthesia with fluoroscopic control.

Displaced and reducible fractures (after venous anesthesia) will be included if one of these conditions is present: Radial height - loss > 2 mm , radial Inclination- loss > 4°, dorsal tilt - > 10°, ulnar variance - loss > 3 mm, intra-articular step off or gap - > 2mm . The contralateral side will be used as a reference.

The eligible participants will be informed about the nature and purpose of the study by reading the "Informed Consent Term" after ageeement, patients will included in the trial and randomized.

- Maintenace of reduction will be defined as the maintenance of the parameters listed above.

- Patients with above elbow immobilization will remain for 4 weeks with splint followed by 2 weeks of below elbow immobilization. The immobilization will be removed with 6 weeks.

- The primary outcome is: maintenance of reduction by evaluation of radiographic parameters (wrist radiographs) at one, two, three, four, six, eight, twelve and twenty four weeks after fracture reduction and self-reported function assessment Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire(DASH).

- Secondary outcomes:Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation- PRWE. Pain (VAS - "Visual Analogue Pain Scale"). Objective functional evaluation (goniometry and dynamometry) and rate of complications and failures.

- Sample Size calculation was calculated based on data derived from one recent randomized clinical trial on the subject. We considered as relevant differences on DASH scores (clinically relevant) when scores are greater than 10 points and standard deviation 15 points. To detect this difference (Student T-test) and statistical power of 95% resulted in a 58 patient sample size per group. We considered an extra 10% for balancing follow up losses. Thus, our inclusion target will be 64 patients per group. We considered the test as bicaudal.

Benefits: Below elbow splinting is easier to apply, lower cost, more comfortable and permits better function for daily life activity. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT03126175
Study type Interventional
Source Hospital Dr. Fernando Mauro Pires da Rocha
Contact
Status Completed
Phase N/A
Start date April 2, 2018
Completion date December 9, 2019

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT05736068 - Is Casting of Displaced Pediatric Distal Forearm Fractures Non-inferior to Reduction in General Anesthesia? N/A
Completed NCT04554472 - Usefulness of Intraoperative Ultrasound in a Volar Plate Distal Radius Fixation
Completed NCT03613922 - Effects of Early Manual Therapy on Functional Outcomes After Volar Plating of Distal Radius Fractures N/A
Completed NCT01823692 - Evaluating Validity of Ultrasonography in Determining Distal Radius Fracture Reduction Phase 2
Completed NCT02286661 - Short-Arm Casting Effective in Type A2 Fractures in the Distal Radius N/A
Completed NCT01062997 - Volar Locked Plating Versus Bridging External Fixation N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT04100317 - Spanning Bridged Plate in Comminuted Distal Radius Fractures
Recruiting NCT04976335 - Quantitative and Clinical Assessment of Flexor Tendon Gliding Following Application of a Bioresorbable Hydrogel: A Prospective, Randomized Study in Patients Undergoing Distal Radius Fracture Repair N/A
Completed NCT03635060 - Distraction Osteogenesis for Distal Radius Fractures vs. Volar Plating N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT05095415 - Occupational Therapy Pre-operative Education in the Orthopedic Hand Setting N/A
Terminated NCT02744352 - Single Shot vs Catheter Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block After Distal Radius Fracture Repair N/A
Completed NCT01778673 - Cortical Comminution and Intra-articular Involvement in Distal Radius Fractures Can Predict Radiological Outcome. A Prospective Multicenter Study N/A
Completed NCT05558306 - Radiological vs Clinical Outcome in DRF N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT03349216 - Bier's Block Versus Systemic Analgesia Phase 2
Completed NCT04357470 - Manual Dexterity in Ulnar Styloid Fracture Patients N/A
Completed NCT05360836 - The Effect of Motor Imagery in Patients With Radius Distal End Fracture N/A
Recruiting NCT02957240 - Graded Motor Imagery for Women at Risk for Developing Type I CRPS Following Closed Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures N/A
Completed NCT03240471 - Cast OFF Trial: One Versus Four-five Weeks of Plaster Cast Immobilization N/A
Terminated NCT04089709 - Well-arm Exercise in Distal Radius Fractures N/A
Completed NCT05623865 - The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Edema Control and Wrist Functions in Conservatively Followed Distal Radius Fractures. N/A