Distal Radial Fractures in Adult Patients: 4 Weeks Versus 6 Weeks of Cast Immobilization

N/AEnrolling By InvitationNCT07234370

Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College80 enrolled

Overview

Post-intervention outcomes comparing casting in distal radius fractures of four weeks versus six weeks.

Cast immobilization for 6 weeks remains the mainstay of therapy for distal radius fractures. To challenge the therapeutic time frame, participants will be randomized into two arms, and the treatment arm will undergo immobilization for 4 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at cast removal and then at 3 and 6 months prospectively using the Quick-DASH score and the DASH score (only at 6 months).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Fracture Forearm Radius Distal Fracture

Interventions

Short Arm Cast for Distal Radius Fracture for four weeksPROCEDURE

Scotch cast immobilization below elbow for four weeks

Short Arm Cast for Distal Radius Fracture for six weeksPROCEDURE

Scotch cast immobilization below elbow for six weeks

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 50 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with DRF undergoing conservative management with cast immobilization * Age between 18 to 50 years. Exclusion Criteria: * Any syndromic patients * Any patients with musculoskeletal disease * Patients having osteoporosis * Post-menopausal females * Smokers * Ages less than 18 or greater than 50 * Patients presenting with intra-articular fractures

Locations (1)

Liaquat National Hospital

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score (Quick DASH)

Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH) score is calculated using a formula based on responses to an 11-item questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no disability and 100 indicates the most severe disability.

Time frame: Four weeks (Cast Removal)

Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH)

Time frame: Six weeks (Cast Removal)

Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH)

Time frame: 3 months after cast removal

Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH)

Time frame: 6 months after cast removal

Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score

The Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score (DASH) is a 30-item questionnaire with scores ranging from 1 to 5 for each item. The final scores are formulated from 0 to 100, where a higher score indicates greater disability and a lower score indicates little to no disability.

Time frame: 6 months post-removal of cast immobilizations

Secondary Outcomes

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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Radial Deviation

Radial deviation ranges from 15-25°. More deviation suggests more joint movement and is associated with better outcomes.

Time frame: 6 months post-cast immobilization removal

Ulnar Deviation

Ulnar deviation ranges from 30-45 °. More deviation suggests more joint movement and is associated with better outcomes.

Time frame: 6 months post-cast immobilization removal.

Dorsiflexion

Dorsiflexion ranges from 8-26 °. More flexion suggests more joint movement and is associated with better outcomes.

Time frame: 6 months post-cast immobilization removal.

Palmar Flexion

Palmar flexion ranges from 70-90 °. More flexion suggests more joint movement and is associated with better outcomes.

Time frame: 6 months post-cast immobilization removal.