None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to determine the optimal treatment for uncomplicated elbow fractures (undisplaced supracondylar humeral fractures) in children by comparing three treatment methods. A supracondylar humeral fracture is a fracture or break to the bone immediately above the elbow. Children identified with an undisplaced supracondylar fracture will be randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups which will involve different methods of external immobilisation. Pain during application of these various methods and functional outcome will be measured.
Interventions
To compare the effectiveness of different external immobilisation methods for the management of acute Gartland Type 1 supracondylar humeral fractures, patients will be randomly allocated to 1 of the following 3 treatment groups:
Group 1 (control group) will have collar and cuff sling under clothing with elbow flexion at 120 degrees
Group 2 (low sling) will have collar and cuff sling under clothing with elbow flexion at 90 degrees
Group 3 (backslab) will have a posterior plaster of Paris backsla
To compare the effectiveness of different external immobilisation methods for the management of acute Gartland Type 1 supracondylar humeral fractures, patients will be randomly allocated to 1 of the following 3 treatment groups: Group 1 (control group) will have collar and cuff sling under clothing with elbow flexion at 120 degrees Group 2 (low sling) will have collar and cuff sling under clothing with elbow flexion at 90 degrees Group 3 (backslab) will have a posterior plaster of Paris backslab and collar and cuff sling over clothing with elbow flexion at 50 degrees The patients in all groups will wear the external immobilisation for a total of 3 weeks. Patients in group 1 and 2 will wear the sling day and night. Patients in group 3 will have the posterior backslab insitu for 3 weeks day and night and will wear the sling during the day - the sling may be removed at night when sleeping.
Sponsors
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
3 Years to 8 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Children presenting to PMH ED aged between 3 and less than 9 years diagnosed with an acute isolated Gartland Type 1 supracondylar humeral fracture confirmed on xray.
Exclusion criteria
Children aged less than 3 years and 9 years or older Supracondylar humeral fractures other than Gartland Type 1 and those which are not isolated fractures Injury sustained more than 3 days ago (ie: not acute) Neurovascular compromise Open fractures Multiple trauma patients Head injury resulting in impaired judgement No parent or legal guardian present who can give informed written consent
Outcome results
None listed