Colles' Fracture
Conditions
Keywords
Distal radius fracture, Low Level Laser Therapy
Brief summary
Approximately 15,000 persons in Norway suffer from wrist fractures during a year, making it the most prevalent fracture in this country. Treated conservatively, a cast is used for 4-6 weeks before removal. After discontinuation of the cast, physiotherapy is implemented to aid in improving range of motion and regaining function of the injured wrist. The pain after injury can affect the patient to a greater or lesser extent, and it is common to prescribe sick leave for shorter amounts of time after the injury. Studies suggest that a physiotherapy intervention with Low Level Laser therapy (LLLT) may reduce pain and swelling after acute trauma, and potentially promote healing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of LLLT on pain and function at 2, 4, 8 and 26 weeks after injury.
Detailed description
Patients with wrist fractures are recruited from Bergen Municipal Emergency Ward, where they are randomly divided into two groups with concealed allocation. The fracture is immobilized with a cast, with a small opening where Low Level Laser therapy can be administered in skin contact. The patients will receive treatment 3 times a week, for 3 weeks. After discontinuation of the cast, the patients swelling, pain, grip strength and function of the wrist is measured. The patients will meet for follow-up controls until 26 weeks after injury.
Interventions
OTHERLow level laser therapy
The laser is an infrared (invisible) 60 mW 904 nm Irradia Midlaser
The placebo laser is an identical device to the active laser, made by Irradia Midlaser
Sponsors
Norwegian Fund for Postgraduate Training in Physiotherapy
University of Bergen
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Patients with distal radiusfraktur, with or without ulna fracture Colles' fracture * The breach must be closed * Under 10 degrees dorsal displacement of radius * Under 5mm shortening of the radius * Under 3 mm step in the joint * 18+ years
Exclusion criteria
* People who do not speak Norwegian or English * If the patient is pregnant * Patient with Smith fracture * Wounds over fracture area * If the patient have a peripheral nerve injury * If the patient had (previously) operated wrist * Persons with verified osteoporosis at the time of injury, systemic inflammatory disease (rheumatism), mental illness, stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer or congenital malformations in wrist * If the laser treatment can not be started within 3 days after fracture
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Function and pain | 26 weeks | Function and will be assessed using Patient Rating Wrist and Hand Evaluation a (PRWHE), and questions about night pain/pain killers |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain by pressure | 26 weeks | Pain Pressure Threshold over distal radius will be assessed using Pressure Algometry |
| Swelling | 26 weeks | Swelling will be assessed using measurement tape |
| Active range of motion | 26 weeks | Active range of motion will be assessed using goniometer |
| Grip- and pinch Strength | 26 weeks | Strength will be assessed using handheld dynamometer |
Countries
Norway
Outcome results
None listed