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Comparison of the Speed of Functional Recovery (Constant Score) Between Two Different Approaches of Humeral Nailing in Humeral Fractures: Through the Rotator Cuff or Through the Rotator Interval Split (HUNAAP)

Not Applicable
Conditions
Humeral Diaphysis Fracture
Humeral Upper Extremity Fracture
Interventions
Procedure: Humeral neailling in humeral fractures
Registration Number
NCT04917536
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand
Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to show if there is any speed difference of functional recovery for people with humeral fracture, treated by an anterograde nail, which will be inserted through the rotator cuff (the common way) or through the rotator interval split.

The patients included in this study will be randomized to one of the two groups.

The recovery will be evaluated by the Constant score over time, for a year. The main hypothesis is the rotator interval split approach allows a faster functional recovery after humeral nailing, by avoiding opening the rotator cuff.

Detailed Description

Humeral fractures are the third most common fractures over 65 years and represent 8% of all fractures. The anterograde nailing is known to be an efficient way to treat humeral upper extremity fractures and humeral diaphysis fractures. The main complications of this nailing are pain, shoulder stiffness, rotator cuff tendinitis and impingement.

Studies have proven these problems can be due to the entry portal of the nail. Indeed, it is inserted through the supra-spinatus tendon, which means an opening of the rotator cuff even if it is closed at the end of the procedure.

But the rotator interval split in the shoulder can allow to insert the nail through it without opening the cuff or damaging the cartilage. It is located between the anterior side of the supra-spinatus tendon and the posterior side of the long part of the biceps.

The aim of the study is to compare the speed of functional recovery according to the entry portal, which are through the rotator cuff or through the rotator interval split, in humeral fractures treated by anterograde nailing.

The cutaneo-muscular approach will be the same in both groups, namely a trans-deltoid approach.

People will be included in the study after an enlightened and signed consent, afterward they will be randomized to one of the two groups.

To evaluate the primary outcome, the Constant Score will be used to measure the kinetic of the recovery.

The secondary outcomes are residual pain (measured by the VAS an evaluation of complications and a radiological review (two different reviewers) to follow the healing and search any side effects, the sick leave and rehabilitation durations.

The patients need to be available for a one-year follow-up. Each assessment will be checked at 21 and 45 days, and at 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
80
Inclusion Criteria
  • Be available for a one year follow-up
  • Patients over 18 and under 70 years old
  • Humeral diaphysis fracture or humeral upper extremity articular fracture (Neer 2,3 or 4), needing to be treated by anterograde nailing.
  • No growth plates
  • Patients covered by the French social security service
  • Patients able to give their enlightened consent and to answer the questions asked for the trial
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pregmant, breastfeeding or potentially pregmant woman
  • Existing bone disease
  • Polytrauma
  • Other fractures on the same upper limb
  • Pathologic fracture
  • Medical history of surgery on the same shoulder
  • Contra-indication to the surgery or the anesthesia
  • Infection on the operating site
  • Axillary nerve palsy
  • Deltoid dysfunction
  • Major disability
  • Refusal of participation

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
rotator cuff approachHumeral neailling in humeral fracturesthe nail is inserted through the supra-spinatus tendon, which is closed at the end of the surgery
rotator cuff split approachHumeral neailling in humeral fracturesthe nail is inserted through the rotator cuff split, between the supra-spinatus tendon and the long part of the biceps
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Speed of functional recoveryMonth 12

Measured by the objective Constant score (absolute and weighted values), which includes an evaluation of the pain, level of daily activities, use of the hand, range of motion and strength. The collected data will allow us to draw a diagram to compare the speed of recovery. Its values are between 0 (bad) and 100 (good)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Intensity of PainMonth 12

Visual analog scale (VAS) : the pain is quantified by a number from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain ever known)

Duration of the rehabilitationmonth 12

The patient is asked about the length of the physiotherapy.

Surgery datasduring the surgery (Day 0)

time to perform the surgery collected from the operating file in minutes

haemoglobin levelsduring the surgery and immediately after (Day 0)

haemoglobin levels in g/dl

Radiological evolutionMonth 12

consolidation or not

Quick DashMonth 12

subjective test showing any difficulties in the daily living activities, relationships, and evaluating the pain and tingling; all of these items are based on the week before the assessment. It ranges from 0 to 100 more the value is better brought up is the score.

Simple shoulder test (SST)Month 12

a subjective score to evaluate what kind of activity is actually possible for the patient

Complications assessmentMonth 12

Searching any early or late complications, such as neurological or vascular problems, haematoma, infection, dislocation, with a clinical exam or other possible paraclinical exams

Duration of the sick leaveMonth 12

The patient is asked when he has returned to his professional activity

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

CHU de Clermont-Ferrand

🇫🇷

Clermont-Ferrand, France

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