Woman and Man
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Extract
Background and study aims Fractures of the wrist are extremely common injuries. If the broken bones have stayed in their original place, then the fracture can usually be treated in a plaster cast or splint. However, some 'unstable' fractures (where the broken bones have been displaced) might need to be fixed back into place with an operation. The two most commonly used techniques in the UK are fixation with wires inserted through the skin (a simple and well-established method), and fixation with a plate which is applied to the surface of the bone with special screws (a very modern, potentially advantageous but expensive method). The aim of this study is to compare these two techniques. Who can participate? Patients aged over 18 with a wrist fracture What does the study involve? Participants are randomly allocated to be treated with either the wire fixation or the plate fixation technique. Before the operation and at three occasions after the operation (3 months, 6 months and 1 year), the patients' wrist function and quality of life are assessed. X-rays are taken at 6 weeks and 1 year to check if healing has occurred. A record is kept of any complications which occur after the operation. The patients are also asked to provide information about any out-of-pocket expenses they might have had in the period after the operation as a result of the injury (for instance whether they had to see a physiotherapist or had a cleaner for a while). The results of all these measurements are then used in two ways: to determine if there is a difference in effectiveness of the two fixation methods and what the most cost-effective method is, bearing in mind the quality of life of the patients. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Not provided at time of registration Where is the study run from? University of Warwick (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? July 2010 to December 2013 Who is funding the study? NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme - HTA (UK) Who is the main contact? Mr Matthew Costa [email protected]
Inclusion criteria
- Dorsally displaced fracture of the distal radius