Comparing two splint types in the treatment of boxer's fracture (a fracture of one of the bones in the hand)
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN79534571 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN79534571 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | 77303040 |
- Submission date
- 29/03/2019
- Registration date
- 01/04/2019
- Last edited
- 03/07/2019
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims:
Hand fractures are the most common fractures of the body, and up to 44 in every 100 fractures in the hand occur in the bones in the palm of the hand and the base of the thumb (metacarpal bones). Fractures of the bone on the outside of the palm below the little finger (fifth metacarpal) are known as boxer’s fractures and are the most common fractures in the hand. Most of them are treated using an ulnar gutter splint (UGS). This involves a hard moulded strip that is bandaged onto the patient's palm and the underside of their forearm to support the hand and prevent movement while the fracture heals. However, treatment of these fractures by preventing movement can lead to complications, such as the bones not healing in correct alignment, stiffness and reduced grip strength. This splint can also be uncomfortable because it limits wrist and finger movements. Other types of splints or wrapping have been tested with positive results. One of these is the functional metacarpal splint (FMS), which is more flexible than the UGS and allows more movement. The aim of this study is to compare UGS and FMS in the treatment of boxer's fractures in terms of the functional and X-ray (radiological) results. The study aims to investigate whether UGS is an unnecessarily restrictive treatment of boxer's fractures. FMS might be adequate to prevent bone loss and result in a faster recovery compared with UGS.
Who can participate?
Healthy volunteers with boxer’s fracture aged between 18-60.
What does the study involve?
Depending on when they are referred for treatment, participants will receive UGS or FMS. Both splints will be removed after 1 month. At months 1 and 6, the participant's hand will be X-rayed so that measurements can be made of the bones. At months 2 and 6, the participants will be asked to fill in a questionnaire about their level of disability related to the fracture and will have their grip strength tested.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The patients will help us to investigate if any of the treatment is superior to other. Patients in both groups will be treated for their fracture, there is no benefit other than this. There is no additional risk of participating since both treatments are widely used and considered safe.
Where is the study run from?
Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty Hospital
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2011 to July 2018
Who is funding the study?
The study was funded by investigators.
Who is the main contact?
Dr. Bedri Karaismailoglu, bedrikio@hotmail.com
Contact information
Public
Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa
Kocamustafapasa cad. No:53
Istanbul
34093
Türkiye
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-4565-6383 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +902124143000 |
| bedrikio@hotmail.com |
Study information
| Study design | Single-centre, quasi-randomised, comparative study. |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Study setting(s) | Hospital |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet. |
| Scientific title | Comparison of functional metacarpal splint and ulnar gutter splint in the treatment of fifth metacarpal neck fractures: A prospective comparative study |
| Study hypothesis | Functional metacarpal splint yields better clinical outcomes compared to ulnar gutter splint in the treatment of fifth metacarpal neck fractures |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 04/04/2011, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty - Clinical Research Ethics Committee (34303 Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey; 0212 414 3000; ctfpersonel@istanbul.edu.tr), ref: 77303040-804.01-I |
| Condition | Fifth metacarpal neck fractures |
| Intervention | Functional metacarpal splint and ulnar gutter splint interventions were applied. Two different treatment plans were applied to patients in a consecutive manner based on referral time (quasi-randomisation). The ulnar gutter splint was applied from the medial side of the hand and the forearm with the wrist at 30° extension, the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint at 70° flexion and the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint at full extension. The splint was removed at the end of the first month. The patients were followed up for 6 months. The functional metacarpal splint was placed according to the 3-point principle (one dorsal, two volar). The dorsal contact point was over the fracture site. One volar contact point was located over the metacarpal head, and one volar contact point was located over the metacarpal shaft. It does not limit the motion of MCP and wrist joints. The splint length was similar to metacarpal length. The splint was removed at the end of the first month. The patients were followed up for 6 months. |
| Intervention type | Procedure/Surgery |
| Primary outcome measure | Functional outcome score (symptoms and extent of disability) assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (QuickDash) at month 2 and month 6 Mean, standard deviation (SD), median, frequency, ratio, and minimum and maximum values were used as descriptive statistical methods. Student t test was used for two-group comparisons of quantitative data with a normal distribution, and Mann-Whitney U test was used for two-group comparisons of data without a normal distribution. Paired sample t-test was used for intragroup comparison of parameters with a normal distribution, and a Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used for intragroup comparison of parameters without a normal distribution. In the analysis of follow-up values with a normal distribution, two-way ANOVA test was used to evaluate the variables, and the Bonferroni test was used to evaluate binary comparisons. P values were multiplied by six for Bonferroni correction. In the analysis of follow-up values without a normal distribution, the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used to evaluate the variables, and the Friedman test was used to evaluate binary comparisons. Statistical significance was set as p <0.05. |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Angulation assessed using angle measurement on direct radiographs at injury day (before and after fracture reduction), month 1 and month 6 2. Shortening assessed using shortening measurement on direct radiographs at injury day (before and after fracture reduction), month 1 and month 6 3. Grip strength assessed using a hand dynamometer at month 2 and month 6 Mean, standard deviation (SD), median, frequency, ratio, and minimum and maximum values were used as descriptive statistical methods. Student t test was used for two-group comparisons of quantitative data with a normal distribution, and Mann-Whitney U test was used for two-group comparisons of data without a normal distribution. Paired sample t-test was used for intragroup comparison of parameters with a normal distribution, and a Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used for intragroup comparison of parameters without a normal distribution. In the analysis of follow-up values with a normal distribution, two-way ANOVA test was used to evaluate the variables, and the Bonferroni test was used to evaluate binary comparisons. P values were multiplied by six for Bonferroni correction. In the analysis of follow-up values without a normal distribution, the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used to evaluate the variables, and the Friedman test was used to evaluate binary comparisons. Statistical significance was set as p <0.05. |
| Overall study start date | 01/01/2011 |
| Overall study end date | 01/07/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 60 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 14 patients in each group, total 28 patients at least |
| Total final enrolment | 40 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | 1. Isolated and closed neck fractures of the fifth metacarpal with no rotational deformity or associated injury 2. Aged 18-60 years |
| Participant exclusion criteria | Unstable, open, comminuted or intraarticular metacarpal neck fractures |
| Recruitment start date | 01/01/2012 |
| Recruitment end date | 31/12/2017 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Türkiye
Study participating centre
Istanbul
34093
Türkiye
Sponsor information
University/education
Kocamustafapasa cad. No:53
Istanbul
34093
Türkiye
| Phone | +902124143000 |
|---|---|
| iucbilgi@istanbul.edu.tr | |
| Website | http://istanbulc.edu.tr |
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/01dzn5f42 |
Funders
Funder type
Other
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 15/04/2019 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| Publication and dissemination plan | The results will be sent to a peer-reviewed journal to be published as soon as possible. |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 13/04/2019 | 03/07/2019 | Yes | No |
Editorial Notes
03/07/2019: Publication reference added.
01/04/2019: Trial's existence confirmed by the Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty Ethics Committee.
