Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

There are many conservative treatment methods, including below arm cast, above arm cast, and sugar tong splint that aim to obtain maximum functional, clinical, and radiological results There are no clear indications with regard to the best treatment including conservative or surgical methods for the different fracture subtypes in distal radius fracture. The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to compare a new reverse sugar tong splint technique that does not immobilize the elbow with a below-arm cast, in terms of patient radiological and clinical outcomes and the ability to maintain fracture reduction.


Clinical Trial Description

This study was conducted at a single Orthopedics and Traumatology emergency department center between April 2017 and March 2019. A two-arm, parallel-group, prospective randomized trial was conducted to compare below-arm cast (BAC) and reverse sugar tong (RST) (described below) treatment of DRF.

Overall, 231 patients diagnosed with distal radius fracture in the emergency department received prospective treatment.

Inclusion criteria: Patients aged >18 years and with distal radius fracture type A and B (who presented within 10 days of the injury) were considered for inclusion.

Exclusion criteria: Patients with AO type C distal radius fractures (treated surgically), type 2 and 3 open fractures (according to Gustilo classification), previous hand or wrist surgery, fractures in the concomitant side of the upper extremities, associate carpal fracture, deformity on same extremity, pathological fractures, and cognitive deficit that does not allow the patient to understand the functional evaluation were excluded from this study. Lastly, patients who did not return for a follow-up visit at the end of the cast or splint treatment were also excluded.

Patient selection and treatment methods Sample Size: The sample size was calculated based on a 15-20% difference in complication rate between the two treatment groups, an alpha level of 5% and a power of 80%. Consequently, each group shall at least consist of 55 participants. We considered an extra 20% who loss of follow-up or loss of reduction and surgery may require for balancing sample size. With expectation of dropouts70 patients per group were included.

All the initial fractures of the patients were classified by the same author using the AO classification. Patients were randomly allocated to a treatment group using an electronic random number generator, with those having an even number assigned to the BAC group and those having an odd number to the RST group. Treatment in both the BAC and RST groups was conducted by the same investigator. The reduction obtained was checked on AP and lateral x-ray of the wrist, which were then used to calculate the following baseline radiological parameters: radial inclination (RI), radial height (RH), and volar tilt (VT).

Follow-up Management Clinical and radiological follow-up was performed 7-10 days (initial follow-up), three weeks, 5 or 6 weeks, 12 weeks and one year (last follow-up) after the treatment. X-rays at the initial follow-up which was performed 7-10 days after the initial closed reduction were taken with the cast or splint in place. Maintenance of fracture reduction was defined as a loss of reduction of less than 2 mm of radial height, 5° of radial inclination or 10° of volar tilt from the initial reduction films, and/or less than 2 mm of intra-articular step-off. In the initial follow-up, third week, and 6th week visit, patients were evaluated with x-ray to detect cast and splint complications, including those that require cast wedging or valving to reduce the pressure and the presence of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Both treatments were removed during the 5-6th week visit in all groups.

Functional outcomes The validated quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Q-DASH) questionnaire score and the Mayo Elbow Performance score (MEPS) score were used to measure clinical outcomes.These scores were performed at the12th week and last follow-up visit for all the patients. Both groups were also evaluated with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) at the 6th week visit for health status.

Radiological evaluation All the radiological parameters were measured by the same author at two time points: initial visit postreduction and 6th visit after the end of treatment. Radial height, Radial inclination and Volar tilt were measured separetly.

Clinical evaluations The wrist range of motion was measured in degree, using a goniometer, from the neutral position to flexion, extension, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation by same investigator during the last follow-up visit. The forearm rotation was also measured. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT04432740
Study type Interventional
Source Umraniye Education and Research Hospital
Contact
Status Completed
Phase N/A
Start date April 15, 2017
Completion date May 1, 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 NCT05558306 - Radiological vs Clinical Outcome in DRF N/A
Completed NCT01778673 - Cortical Comminution and Intra-articular Involvement in Distal Radius Fractures Can Predict Radiological Outcome. A Prospective Multicenter Study 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