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Distal Radius Fractures in Patients Over 65 Years, Operation or Cast?

Not Applicable
Conditions
Distal Radius Fracture
Interventions
Procedure: Volar plate
Registration Number
NCT02336035
Lead Sponsor
Oslo University Hospital
Brief Summary

Eligible patients that sign an informed consent will be randomized to operation with volar locking plate or cast immobilization. Primary follow-up after 1 year.

Detailed Description

The investigators want to investigate if there is a difference between operative treatment with volar locking plates and cast immobilization in patient above 65 years with unstable distal radius fractures AO/OTA type A and C . Eligible patients that meets the radiological criteria (see inclusion criteria) will be randomized to cast immobilization or operation with volar locking plate.

The investigators are planning a non-inferiority design.

The current study will test the following null hypothesis:

In patients over 65 years of age with unstable distal radius fractures AO/OTA type A and C,volar locking plates are superior to cast immobilization by more than 8 points, as evaluated by quick-DASH at 12 months follow-up.

The investigators will perform a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing QALYs (Quality-adjusted life years) and costs with the two interventions the first year of follow-up.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • AO/OTA class A- and C-fractures
  • Age > 65 years
  • Unacceptable primary reduction or redislocation < 20 days post-injury with at least one of the following findings:
  • dorsal angulation > 10 degrees
  • radial shortening > 3 mm
  • intraarticular step-off > 2 mm
  • Ability to sign an informed consent
  • Acute fracture, inclusion within 20 days from injury.
  • Ability to reconstruct the articular surface with a volar locking plate
Exclusion Criteria
  • Volar angulated fractures and AO type B
  • Associated diseases contraindicating surgery
  • Mental impairment, nursery home patient
  • Earlier wrist injury
  • Pathological fractures
  • Open fractures (>Gustilo-Anderson I) or damaged soft tissue
  • Drug abuse
  • Concomitant injuries that might affect outcome
  • Congenital anomaly of affected extremity
  • Median nerve compression that requires acute operation
  • Foreign language
  • Tourists

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
OperationVolar plateOperation with a volar plate. Cast immobilization for 2 weeks after operation, thereafter active motion without weight for 4 weeks. 6 weeks after operation the patients are allowed active exercise within the range of pain. Both groups will be followed after 3, 6 and 12 months, and after 2 and 5 years.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand; Quick-DASH1 year

Questionnaire

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Grip strength3, 6 and 12 months; 2 and 5 years

score

Complications6 weeks; 3, 6 and 12 months; 2 and 5 years

Registration of complications

Patient rated wrist evaluation (PRWE)3, 6 and 12 months; 2 and 5 years

PRWE, Questionnaire

X-ray, wrist6 weeks; 3 and 12 months; 2 and 5 years

Radial shortening, dorsal tilt, intraarticular step-off

Over all satisfaction6 weeks; 3, 6 and 12 months; 2 and 5 years

Over all satisfaction with hand function, numeric scale 0-10

Quick DASH3 and 6 months; 2 and 5 years

Questionnaire

Range of motion3, 6 and 12 months; 2 and 5 years

score

Registration of need for assistance in daily life6 weeks; 3, 6 and 12 months; 2 and 5 years

Registration of need for assistance in daily life to register costs generated

EQ-5d (EuroQol)6 weeks; 3, 6 and 12 months; 2 and 5 years

Questionnaire

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Oslo University hospital

🇳🇴

Oslo, Norway

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