Clinical Trial: Effect of Low-Magnitude, High Frequency Vibration Treatment on Femoral Shaft Fracture Healing

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: The Efficacy of Low-Magnitude, High Frequency Vibration Treatment on Accelerating the Healing of Femoral Shaft Fracture - A Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Brief Summary:

Diaphyseal long bone fractures are usually associated with high energy trauma in which femoral shaft fracture is one common fracture in young age group. Surgery is usually needed for the diaphyseal lone bone fractures and the painful conditions always hinder weight bearing which is important for fracture healing and functional recovery. Fracture healing in cortical bone is less predictable than trabecular bone because they are less active and blood supply is more critical. Therefore accelerating fracture healing and rehabilitation of long bone fracture will absolutely bring significant economic benefit to the society in term of hospitalization and sick leave cost.

Low-magnitude, high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) treatment can provide systemic mechanical stimulation and is reported with multiple effects on musculoskeletal tissues. LMHFV can enhance the blood circulation and osteogenic effect in normal subjects and animals. Our previous clinical study also indicated that LMHFV could enhance the balancing ability and muscular function in normal post-menopausal women after treating whole-body vibration. For the fracture healing effect, an acceleration of healing by inducing callus formation and maturation in rat model was also reported in our previous studies.

In this study a total of 50 unilateral closed femoral shaft fracture patients of either gender aged 20-40 years old will be recruited and they will be randomized to either control and vibration group. The vibration group will be treated with LMHFV for 6 months. The findings of this study will provide very useful scientific data to support the application of LMHFV for fracture healing.


Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong

Current Primary Outcome: Time to radiologic healing [ Time Frame: 1 year ]

The healing time of fracture site among subjects is assessed by noting the time of appearance of the first bridging callus in x-ray film as well as the second bridging callus and the third bridging callus


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Functional outcomes [ Time Frame: 1 year ]

The subjects are needed to perform functional outcome measurement according to our established protocol, including quality of life, muscle strength, balancing ability, vertical jump performance. The result of the above assessments will be reported as a scoring to show the functional performance and mobility of subjects.


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Chinese University of Hong Kong

Dates:
Date Received: June 22, 2011
Date Started: February 2011
Date Completion:
Last Updated: July 27, 2015
Last Verified: July 2015