The CARBO CARBON Study (NCT07521943) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
The CARBO CARBON Study
Sweden30 participantsStarted 2026-03-23
Plain-language summary
This study examines the environmental impact of two common treatment pathways for hand fractures (metacarpal shaft fractures): surgical and non-surgical management. Healthcare contributes significantly to climate change, and orthopedic surgery in particular generates substantial greenhouse gas emissions. Although surgical treatment is frequently favored for these fractures, it is not always superior to non-surgical treatment, and the difference in environmental impact between these options is not well understood.
In this study, researchers will measure and compare the environmental impact of each treatment pathway, from inclusion to twelve months follow-up. This includes environmental impact related to single-use material, medical equipment, energy use, medications, and waste. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) will be performed and a mean difference in environmental impact between treatments pathways will be calculates. A Hotspot analysis will also be performed to highlight key sources of environmental impacts. The findings may help guide more sustainable healthcare practices without compromising patient care.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria for the CARBO trial:
Age ≥18 years.
Access to a valid e-mail.
Injury within 10 days prior to inclusion.
Normal bilateral hand function prior to injury.
Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent
Single, displaced spiral or oblique diaphyseal fracture of the second to fifth metacarpals with definition of diaphysis as described by AO 2018 (AO/OTA as 77.2-5.2A) (Meinberg et al., 2018).
Fracture line length at least twice the diameter of the bone at the level of the fracture.
Fractures with at least 2 mm of radiological displacement and/or malrotation of injured finger compared to uninjured side regardless of fracture displacement.
Exclusion Criteria:
The patient is not expected to have difficulty adhering to the study protocol (e.g., due to insufficient language proficiency, dementia, substance abuse, or other reasons).
The patient does not have an open fracture (Gustilo-Anderson grade \> I) or a pathological fracture.
The patient does not have an ipsilateral fracture of the upper extremity, polytrauma, or generalized joint dysfunction (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.