Intramedullary screws versus Kirschner wires (pins) for finger fractures

Intramedullary screw versus Kirschner wire fixation of extraarticular proximal and middle phalanx fractures: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN16668828

Enrollment

Registered

2025-11-24

Start date

2026-07-06

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-07-20

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

Conditions

Middle or proximal phalanx fractures Musculoskeletal Diseases

Interventions

The treatment arms for this study will be operative fixation of proximal or middle phalanx fractures using IM screws versus K-wires. For IM screw fixation, the fracture will first be reduced by the s

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 100 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Adult patients =18 years old 2. Scheduled for operative management of extraarticular proximal or middle closed phalanx fracture(s) at our tertiary hospital 3. Feasible to perform closed reduction 4. Able to provide informed consent and complete health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires in English

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Other fractures that cannot be managed with IM screws or K-wires 2. Fractures affecting both hands 3. Other significant injury to the contralateral upper extremity 4. Other intraarticular fractures 5. Significant concomitant hand trauma 6. Cannot commit to 3 month follow up at our institution

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Quality of life measured using Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand at 12 weeks	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Quality of life measured using Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand at baseline, 4 weeks, 6 months, 1 year;Quality of Life measured using EQ-5D-5L at baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year;Pain measured using Visual Analogue Scale at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year;Range of motion measured using Goniometer at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year;Grip strength measured using Dynamometer at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year;Time from surgery to return to work measured using patient records at 1 year;Radiological details measured using X-ray at 4 weeks, 12 weeks;Complications/adverse events measured using Clinical assessment at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year	—

Measure

Time frame

Quality of life measured using Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand at baseline, 4 weeks, 6 months, 1 year;Quality of Life measured using EQ-5D-5L at baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year;Pain measured using Visual Analogue Scale at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year;Range of motion measured using Goniometer at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year;Grip strength measured using Dynamometer at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year;Time from surgery to return to work measured using patient records at 1 year;Radiological details measured using X-ray at 4 weeks, 12 weeks;Complications/adverse events measured using Clinical assessment at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year

—

Countries

Canada

Contacts

Public ContactEmily Dunn

dunne4@mcmaster.ca+1 905 522 1155 x34011

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Jul 23, 2026