Skip to content

Conservative Treatment Versus the Surgical Treatment of Diaphyseal Fractures of Humerus

Diaphyseal Fractures of the Humerus: A Prospective Cohort Study Comparing the Conservative Treatment and the Surgical Treatment.

Status
Terminated
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01116349
Enrollment
4
Registered
2010-05-05
Start date
2010-01-31
Completion date
2014-07-31
Last updated
2012-12-20

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

Conditions

Humeral Diaphysis Fracture

Keywords

humeral diaphysis fracture, plate and screws for humeral diaphysis fracture, nailing for humerus diaphysis fracture, Hanging Support System

Brief summary

The fracture of the humeral diaphysis is a condition that represents 2% of all fractures. The conservative treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the humerus has long been considered the only option and the surgical treatment was primarily reserved for displaced fractures with no contact of bone ends. However, for a few years there has been an upsurge of indications for the surgical treatment of diaphyseal fractures. The purpose of this study is to compare the functional outcomes and the quality of life of surgically treated patients versus those who undergo a conservative treatment.

Interventions

PROCEDUREPlate and screws or nailing

Patients included in the surgical group will be divided into two subgroups according to the method of fixation chosen: plate and screws or nailing. Surgeries take place under general anesthesia and a prophylaxis antibiotic is administrated. The installation and the approach will be chosen by the surgeon according to his preferences. A thoraco brachial brace is placed on the patient at the end of the intervention and it remains in place for a period of 5 to 10 days (patient comfort). A gradual mobilization of the elbow and shoulder will be initiated by the patient at home. The addition of physical therapy will be decided by the surgeon and noted down accordingly.

DEVICEHanging Support System (HSS) brace

Patients included in the conservative group will be taken to a plaster room where the HSS brace will be installed by a qualified technician. Advice will be provided for the care, personal hygiene and clothing. The brace will be kept for a period of 6 to 12 weeks depending on the degree of healing of fracture. The maintenance of the proximal part (Brace) may be recommended by the surgeon. The mobilization will begin with exercises at home and whether the patient does physical therapy or not is the surgeon's choice.

Sponsors

Hopital de l'Enfant-Jesus
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Male or female over 18 years * Fracture of the humeral diaphysis * Recent fracture (14 days or less) * Closed fracture * Signing of consent form

Exclusion criteria

* Segmental fracture of the humerus * Fracture with proximal or distal intra articular extension * Open fracture * Polytrauma * Floating elbow or shoulder * Pathological fracture * Simultaneous fracture of both humerus * Associated vascular disease * Severe neuromuscular disorders such as Parkinson, hemiparesis, myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy, etc. ... * medical contraindication to surgery * severe central neurological disease disabling patient to fill in questionnaires (senile dementia, Alzheimer's, etc ... * Male or female unable to consent * Any other condition which prevents the assessor from fully monitoring the patient during study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Function and quality of life on DASH scale6 months after treatmentThe function and quality of life are measured using the DASH scale six months after treatment.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Return to professional activities3 months after treatmentIt will be determined in days after surgery, to rates of 50% and 100% of the usual workload.
SF-36 score6 months after treatmentThis score will help validate the impact on quality of life of both types of treatment. It includes 36 items asking about the recent quality of life. This will also enable better understanding of the impact in real time on the functional level.
Proportion of additional surgeries12 months after surgeryThe evaluation of the rate of complications such as infection, implant removal, non-union, implant failure or malunion which necessitate additional surgery.
Radiological loss of reduction2 weeks after treatmentThe main observed displacements occur in varus and are measured on an AP view of the humerus. Initial displacements are tolerated up to 20 degrees in varus and in flexion. We measure the proportion of patients who experienced worsening of the deformity of more than 5 degrees on both levels.
Union rate12 weeks after treatmentThe union is defined by the presence of a strong radiological callus associated with lack of pain at the fracture site. The humerus unifies in an average of three months. It is considered non-union if it is not unified after six months, and it is classified as delayed union between 3 and 6 months. The rates will be presented by the number of patients with non-union in each group.
DASH score6 months after treatmentThe function and quality of life are measured using the DASH scale 6 months after treatment.
Pain on visual analogue pain scale (VAS)2 weeks after treatmentThe measure will be carried out using a suitable rule designed for this type of measurement, counting only full of numbers 1 to 10.
Pain on VAS6 weeks after treatmentThe measure will be carried out using a suitable rule designed for this type of measurement, counting only full of numbers 1 to 10.
Measurement of range of motion of the shoulder2 weeks after treatmentUsing a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 180 °), abduction (180°), external rotation in the scapular plane (90 °) and internal rotation in the plane scapula (60°).
Measurement of range of motion of the elbow2 weeks after treatmentUsing a goniometer, we will measure the bending (normal value 140 °), extension (normal value 0 °), pronation (normal value 80 °) and supination (normal value 80 °).
Rates of complicationwithin the first year following treatmentThe main complications recognized in the treatment of humerus fractures are: infection, nerve damage, malunion and non-unions. Each complication will be recorded and reported.

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026