Effects of Upper Extremity Immobilization and Use of a Steering Wheel Spinner Knob Following Distal Radius Fracture

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Distal Radius Fracture
• Interventions: Other: Spinner knob; Other: No Knob

• Registration Number: NCT02105038
• Lead Sponsor: Prisma Health-Upstate

Brief Summary

The aims of the study are to better understand how upper extremity injury and immobilization influences a patient's steering ability. Patients with acute distal radius fractures treated with surgery will be recruited for study in a driving simulator. The results will hopefully assist physicians to better counsel patients with upper extremity injuries on when it is safe to return to driving.

Detailed Description

The ability of an injured person to safely drive an automobile while immobilized in an upper extremity cast or splint is not well defined.

The aims of the study are to better understand how upper extremity injury and immobilization influences a patient's steering ability. The secondary aim is to further evaluate the effectiveness of a steering wheel spinner-knob to assist with one-handed driving. A steering wheel spinner knob may be a surrogate to assist with one handed driving while immobilized.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2014-03-24
• Study Start: 2014-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2014-04-02
• Study First Posted: 2014-04-07
• Status Verified: 2016-02
• Primary Completion: 2016-02
• Study Completion: 2016-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-02-10
• Last Update Posted: 2016-02-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 24

Inclusion Criteria

• • Acute distal radius fracture treated with surgery and initially immobilized in a cast or splint

  • Valid driver's license with 1 years of driving experience and actively driving during the last three months
  • English speaking
  • Ability to start testing within 10 days of surgery

Exclusion Criteria

• • <18 years of age

  • Current use of steering wheel spinner knob or hand controls while driving
  • Non-drivers
  • Multi-trauma
  • Open fractures
  • Surgical repair with external fixation
  • Concurrent distal radius/ulnar joint injury and repair
  • Any other joint besides the wrist immobilized following surgery
  • Contralateral upper extremity disability
  • Previous ipsilateral upper extremity functional deficit
  • Inability to participate for the full length of the study

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Knob	Spinner knob	Steering in a driving simulator using a steering wheel spinner knob.
No Knob	No Knob	Steering in a driving simulator immediately following surgical treatment of hip fractures.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Steering reaction time	6 months	Steering reaction time measured using a driving simulator will be compared across three time points (acutely, sub-acutely, and return to function) following surgical treatment of a distal radius fractures. This will be evaluated with and without the use of a steering wheel spinner knob.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Steering accuracy	6 months	Steering accuracy measured using a driving simulator will be compared across three time points (acutely, sub-acutely, and return to function) following surgical treatment of a distal radius fractures. This will be evaluated with and without the use of a steering wheel spinner knob.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Greenville Health System; 🇺🇸 Greenville, South Carolina, United States