The fracture of the humeral diaphysis is a condition that represents 2% of all fractures. The conservative treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the humerus has long been considered the only option and the surgical treatment was primarily reserved for displaced fractures with no contact of bone ends. However, for a few years there has been an upsurge of indications for the surgical treatment of diaphyseal fractures. The purpose of this study is to compare the functional outcomes and the quality of life of surgically treated patients versus those who undergo a conservative treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
4
Patients included in the surgical group will be divided into two subgroups according to the method of fixation chosen: plate and screws or nailing. Surgeries take place under general anesthesia and a prophylaxis antibiotic is administrated. The installation and the approach will be chosen by the surgeon according to his preferences. A thoraco brachial brace is placed on the patient at the end of the intervention and it remains in place for a period of 5 to 10 days (patient comfort). A gradual mobilization of the elbow and shoulder will be initiated by the patient at home. The addition of physical therapy will be decided by the surgeon and noted down accordingly.
Patients included in the conservative group will be taken to a plaster room where the HSS brace will be installed by a qualified technician. Advice will be provided for the care, personal hygiene and clothing. The brace will be kept for a period of 6 to 12 weeks depending on the degree of healing of fracture. The maintenance of the proximal part (Brace) may be recommended by the surgeon. The mobilization will begin with exercises at home and whether the patient does physical therapy or not is the surgeon's choice.
CHA-Pavillon Enfant-Jésus
Québec, Quebec, Canada
Hôpital l'Enfant-Jésus
Québec, Quebec, Canada
Function and quality of life on DASH scale
The function and quality of life are measured using the DASH scale six months after treatment.
Time frame: 6 months after treatment
DASH score
The function and quality of life are measured using the DASH scale 6 months after treatment.
Time frame: 6 months after treatment
Return to professional activities
It will be determined in days after surgery, to rates of 50% and 100% of the usual workload.
Time frame: 3 months after treatment
SF-36 score
This score will help validate the impact on quality of life of both types of treatment. It includes 36 items asking about the recent quality of life. This will also enable better understanding of the impact in real time on the functional level.
Time frame: 6 months after treatment
DASH score
The function and quality of life are measured using the DASH scale 12 months after treatment.
Time frame: 12 months after treatment
SF-36 score
This score will help validate the impact on quality of life of both types of treatment. It includes 36 items asking about the recent quality of life. This will also enable better understanding of the impact in real time on the functional level.
Time frame: 12 months after treatment
Proportion of additional surgeries
The evaluation of the rate of complications such as infection, implant removal, non-union, implant failure or malunion which necessitate additional surgery.
Time frame: 12 months after surgery
Radiological loss of reduction
The main observed displacements occur in varus and are measured on an AP view of the humerus. Initial displacements are tolerated up to 20 degrees in varus and in flexion. We measure the proportion of patients who experienced worsening of the deformity of more than 5 degrees on both levels.
Time frame: 2 weeks after treatment
Radiological loss of reduction
The main observed displacements occur in varus and are measured on an AP view of the humerus. Initial displacements are tolerated up to 20 degrees in varus and in flexion. We measure the proportion of patients who experienced worsening of the deformity of more than 5 degrees on both levels.
Time frame: 6 weeks after treatment
Radiological loss of reduction
The main observed displacements occur in varus and are measured on an AP view of the humerus. Initial displacements are tolerated up to 20 degrees in varus and in flexion. We measure the proportion of patients who experienced worsening of the deformity of more than 5 degrees on both levels.
Time frame: 12 weeks after treatment
Radiological loss of reduction
The main observed displacements occur in varus and are measured on an AP view of the humerus. Initial displacements are tolerated up to 20 degrees in varus and in flexion. We measure the proportion of patients who experienced worsening of the deformity of more than 5 degrees on both levels.
Time frame: 6 months after treatment
Union rate
The union is defined by the presence of a strong radiological callus associated with lack of pain at the fracture site. The humerus unifies in an average of three months. It is considered non-union if it is not unified after six months, and it is classified as delayed union between 3 and 6 months. The rates will be presented by the number of patients with non-union in each group.
Time frame: 12 weeks after treatment
Union rate
The union is defined by the presence of a strong radiological callus associated with lack of pain at the fracture site. The humerus unifies in an average of three months. It is considered non-union if it is not unified after six months, and it is classified as delayed union between 3 and 6 months. The rates will be presented by the number of patients with non-union in each group.
Time frame: 6 months after treatment
Rates of complication
The main complications recognized in the treatment of humerus fractures are: infection, nerve damage, malunion and non-unions. Each complication will be recorded and reported.
Time frame: within the first year following treatment
Pain on visual analogue pain scale (VAS)
The measure will be carried out using a suitable rule designed for this type of measurement, counting only full of numbers 1 to 10.
Time frame: 2 weeks after treatment
Pain on VAS
The measure will be carried out using a suitable rule designed for this type of measurement, counting only full of numbers 1 to 10.
Time frame: 6 weeks after treatment
Pain on VAS
The measure will be carried out using a suitable rule designed for this type of measurement, counting only full of numbers 1 to 10.
Time frame: 12 weeks after treatment
Pain on VAS
The measure will be carried out using a suitable rule designed for this type of measurement, counting only full of numbers 1 to 10.
Time frame: 6 months after treatment
Pain on VAS
The measure will be carried out using a suitable rule designed for this type of measurement, counting only full of numbers 1 to 10.
Time frame: 12 months after treatment
Measurement of range of motion of the shoulder
Using a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 180 °), abduction (180°), external rotation in the scapular plane (90 °) and internal rotation in the plane scapula (60°).
Time frame: 2 weeks after treatment
Measurement of range of motion of the shoulder
Using a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 180 °), abduction (180°), external rotation in the scapular plane (90 °) and internal rotation in the plane scapula (60°).
Time frame: 6 weeks after treatment
Measurement of range of motion of the shoulder
Using a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 180 °), abduction (180°), external rotation in the scapular plane (90 °) and internal rotation in the plane scapula (60°).
Time frame: 12 weeks after treatment
Measurement of range of motion of the shoulder
Using a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 180 °), abduction (180°), external rotation in the scapular plane (90 °) and internal rotation in the plane scapula (60°).
Time frame: 6 months after treatment
Measurement of range of motion of the shoulder
Using a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 180 °), abduction (180°), external rotation in the scapular plane (90 °) and internal rotation in the plane scapula (60°).
Time frame: 12 months after treatment
Measurement of range of motion of the elbow
Using a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 140 °), extension (normal value 0 °), pronation (normal value 80 °) and supination (normal value 80 °).
Time frame: 2 weeks after treatment
Measurement of range of motion of the elbow
Using a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 140 °), extension (normal value 0 °), pronation (normal value 80 °) and supination (normal value 80 °).
Time frame: 6 weeks after treatment
Measurement of range of motion of the elbow
Using a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 140 °), extension (normal value 0 °), pronation (normal value 80 °) and supination (normal value 80 °).
Time frame: 12 weeks after treatment
Measurement of range of motion of the elbow
Using a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 140 °), extension (normal value 0 °), pronation (normal value 80 °) and supination (normal value 80 °).
Time frame: 6 months after treatment
Measurement of range of motion of the elbow
Using a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 140 °), extension (normal value 0 °), pronation (normal value 80 °) and supination (normal value 80 °).
Time frame: 12 months after treatment
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