Fracture of Shaft of Humerus
Conditions
Keywords
Humerus, Fracture, Sling, Splint, Coaptation
Brief summary
When people break their arm and arrive at Oregon Health and Science University's Emergency Department (OHSU ED), they are treated with a short-term means of immobilizing their broken arm. The two most common ways of stabilizing the broken parts of the arm are 1) with a plaster-based coaptation splint, or 2) with a soft cloth sling and swathe. These hold the arm steady until the patient can schedule an appointment with the OHSU Orthopaedic Trauma clinic where they will receive definitive evaluation and stabilization/fixation. In much of the orthopaedic literature coaptation splints are the default immobilization method. The investigators hypothesize however, that sling and swathe immobilization may be equally effective for short term stabilization, while being faster to apply, and more comfortable for the patient. This randomized, unblinded prospective study will follow the satisfaction, quality of life and limited functional outcomes of all enrolled participants during the first week following their injury.
Interventions
DEVICESling and Swathe
Sling and Swathe immobilization of humeral shaft fracture.
DEVICECoaptation Splint
Coaptation splint immobilization of humeral shaft fractures.
Sponsors
Oregon Health and Science University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* age 18-80 * acute midshaft humeral fracture within 48 hours
Exclusion criteria
* ED presentation more than 48 hours after injury * Head injury * Open fracture * Pathological fracture * Known pregnancy * Inmate or prisoner * Non-English speaking * Sexual Assault (SA) victim * Patient and Legally Authorized Representative unable to provide consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Satisfaction | 5 days | Satisfaction questionaires will be administered 5 days after admission/enrollment in the study, or before any surgical fixation which occurs more than 48 hours after admission. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Pain | 5 days | Patient narcotic usage and NRS pain score will be collected 5 days from admission/enrollment, or before any surgical fixation which occurs more than 48 hours after admission |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed