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Surgery vs. Casting for Displaced Articular Radius Fractures in Elderly

The Effectiveness of Surgery Versus Casting for Elderly Patients With Displaced Distal Intra-Articular Radius Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03009890
Acronym
DART
Enrollment
138
Registered
2017-01-04
Start date
2017-02-01
Completion date
2022-11-01
Last updated
2023-01-18

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

Conditions

Radius Distal Fracture

Keywords

elderly, intra articular, RCT

Brief summary

Objective: to compare the functional outcome after open reduction and internal fixation with non-operative cast treatment for elderly patients with displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures.

Detailed description

Rationale: there is no consensus about the optimal treatment of displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures in elderly patients. To ensure optimal functional outcome there is a tendency to operate. However, there is no evidence that supports the surgical treatment of patients aged 65 years or older and in the absence of clinical trials it stays unclear how elderly patients with intra-articular fractures should be treated. Study design: multi-center randomized controlled trial with a non-inferiority design. Economic evaluation alongside a randomized controlled multi-center trial. Study population: all consecutive patients aged between 65 years and older with displaced intra-articular (AO Type C) distal radius fractures, with a not acceptable reduction within 3 weeks following trauma. Intervention: patients will be randomized between open reduction and internal fixation (intervention group) and plaster immobilization (control group). Main study parameters: the primary outcome will be evaluated after 1 year with the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score (PRWE). Secondary outcomes comprise other patient reported outcome measures (PROM) including the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Quality of life (EQ-5D) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Further outcome measurements comprise a costs evaluation questionnaire, range of motion (ROM), grip strength, radiographic parameters and Complications.

Interventions

PROCEDURESurgery (Open Reduction Internal Fixation)

Either volar of dorsal plating or both

Hospitals may use their preferred protocol

Sponsors

Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)
CollaboratorOTHER
Maasstad Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
Deventer Ziekenhuis
CollaboratorOTHER
JointResearch
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* \> 65 years at time of trauma * Intra-articular distal radius fracture (AO type C\*) * One or more of the following fracture characteristics within 3 weeks post-trauma (including secondary dislocation): ≤15° inclination \<5 mm radial length \>15° dorsal tilt \>20° volar tilt intra-articular gap or step-off \>2 mm * \< 3 weeks post trauma * Living independent * Fit for surgery * Mentally competent * Dutch fluency and literacy * Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Open fractures * Neurovascular damage * Multiple-trauma patients (ISS \>16) * Other fractures in the injured extremity other than ulnar styloid process fractures

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
PRWE12 monthsPatient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
DASH12 monthsDisability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand
EQ/5D12 monthsQuality of life
PCS12 monthsPain Catastrophizing Scale

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
ROM12 monthsrange of motion
grip strength12 monthsgrip strength of both wrists
Radiographic parameters6 monthsRadial inclination, volar/dorsal tilt, ulnar variance, gap, step off and radial length
Complications12 monthsComplications of either treatment arm

Countries

Netherlands

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 12, 2026