Dorsal versus volar surgical approaches for plate fixation of midshaft radius fractures: a randomised controlled trial

A randomised controlled trial comparing post-operative pain, return to work and pronation strength in patients with midshaft radius fractures randomly assigned to fixation via a dorsal (Thompson) approach or a volar (Henry) approach.

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12610000648022

Acronym

THRUST Thompson or Henry approach for radius (+/- ulna) shaft fracture triallists

Enrollment

Registered

2010-08-10

Start date

2010-11-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Our study is designed to see whether patients recover after forearm fracture surgery more quickly with a dorsal or volar surgical approach. Our hypothesis is that there is no difference.

Interventions

The dorsal (Thompson) approach involves an incision on the dorsal aspect of the forearm and splitting between extensor muscles with some stripping of the insertion of the supinator muscle to permit plate positioning for stabilisation of a fracture. The surgical approach will take approximately 10 minutes.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Treatment

Masking

Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

12 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Patients with a fracture of the middle 20% of the radial shaft.

Exclusion criteria

Severe head injury Neurological compromise of the upper limb (including stroke, brachial plexus injury, ipsilateral upper limb peripheral motor nerve injury and pre-existing complex regional pain syndrome) Associated fractures of the upper limb (other than ulnar fractures)

Outcome results