Clinical Trial: Shoulder Functional Outcomes of Patients With Proximal Humerus Fractures: Comparison of Two Different Treatment Protocol

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title:

Brief Summary: Fractures of the proximal humerus and the humeral head are most common injuries and the management is challenging. Functional therapy with short immobilization, followed by an accelerated physiotherapy protocol, is a simple, convenient, noninvasive, and efficient management option. This prospective randomized study is aim to assess the function of the upper extremity of patients who will be assigned to nonoperative treatment of a proximal humeral fracture. The primary objective is the Constant score. Secondary objectives are the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) instrument, measurement of shoulder range of motion (ROM), pain and depression level with Beck Depression Scale.

Detailed Summary:

In this prospective randomized controlled trial, informed consent forms were obtained from all participants and they were informed about the study based on the Declaration of Helsinki. The study was approved by local ethics committee of Hacettepe University (GO13/55). After comprehensive clinical evaluation, subjects were randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group, using Random Allocation Software. The intervention group received scapular mobilization with upper extremity ROM exercises, the control group received only shoulder ROM exercises.

Patients with a radiographically proven, closed fracture of the proximal humerus admitted to the emergency department of Hacettepe University Hospital, who were considered suitable for primary nonoperative management by the orthopedic surgeon on charge, were asked to participate in this investigation.

The exclusion criteria are (1) skeletally immature patients (2) patients presenting to the hospital 10 days or more after injury (3) patients with open fractures or multiple trauma (4) pre-existing illness affecting the function of the upper limb, such as multiple sclerosis, paraplegia, and others (5) patients with a history of drug or alcohol abuse (6) patients with cooperation problems or problems in attending all scheduled study visits.

Patients' demographics (ie, gender, age, profession, smoking, concomitant diseases, medication) and injury characteristics (ie, accident type, energy level of trauma, concomitant injuries, fracture classification) will be recorded. Patients will be asked to rate their upper limb function 1 week before the accident to determine their baseline DASH score using the extended 3-modular questionnaire.13 Normalized DASH scores range from 0 (perfect function) to 100 (functionless extremity/
Sponsor: Hacettepe University

Current Primary Outcome: Constant Score [ Time Frame: Patients will be followed for 6 months. The differences between baseline score and at the end of 6 months score will be assessed. ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: Hacettepe University

Dates:
Date Received: May 26, 2015
Date Started: June 2015
Date Completion:
Last Updated: June 5, 2015
Last Verified: May 2015