Early Range of Motion in 5th Metacarpal Fracture (NCT02441790) | Clinical Trial Compass
WithdrawnNot Applicable
Early Range of Motion in 5th Metacarpal Fracture
Stopped: Recruitment Difficulty
Canada0Started 2015-05
Plain-language summary
Fractures of the fifth metacarpal neck are the most common injury involving the upper extremity. Patients are typically young adult males. Restoring function quickly and reliably for return to work and/or activity is important; these patients are a significant labour force demographic. Treatment is historically splinting for approximately 3-4 weeks. Splinting a fracture is a "trade-off". Immobilization allows stabilization and fracture healing, but also causes hand stiffness and weakness leading to impaired function. Little prospective research exists; there is no agreement for ideal duration of splinting or therapy, demonstrating clinical equipoise. A new concept in hand rehabilitation is "early active range of motion" (EAROM). The objective of this trial is to establish if EAROM provides improved early (6 week) hand function when compared to standard immobilization.
Who can participate
Age range18 Years
SexALL
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Inclusion criteria
✓. Age equal or greater than 18 years
✓. Fifth metacarpal neck fracture, 9 or fewer days since injury
✓. Equal or less than 40 degrees of dorsal fracture angulation on lateral x-ray. Angle is measured between the line along the longitudinal axis of the metacarpal shaft and the line from the centre of the metacarpal head to the fracture site.
✓. No angulation or malrotation
✓. No clinical fracture shortening (ie. Inability to extend fifth digit)
✓. Non-operative treatment
✓. Volar or ulnar gutter splint (MCP flexed, IPs extended)
Exclusion criteria
✕. Metabolic bone disease
✕. "Open fracture" with soft tissue loss overlying fracture site
✕. Tendon injury
What they're measuring
1
Hand function as measured by validated scoring - the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Measure