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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02105038

Effects of Upper Extremity Immobilization and Use of a Steering Wheel Spinner Knob Following Distal Radius Fracture

The aims of the study are to better understand how upper extremity injury and immobilization influences a patient's steering ability. Patients with acute distal radius fractures treated with surgery will be recruited for study in a driving simulator. The results will hopefully assist physicians to better counsel patients with upper extremity injuries on when it is safe to return to driving.

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Key information

Conditions

Distal Radius Fracture Arm Injuries Fractures, Bone Wounds and Injuries Wrist Fractures Wrist Injuries

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Greenville Health System

Greenville, South Carolina, 29605, United States

About this study

The ability of an injured person to safely drive an automobile while immobilized in an upper extremity cast or splint is not well defined.

The aims of the study are to better understand how upper extremity injury and immobilization influences a patient's steering ability. The secondary aim is to further evaluate the effectiveness of a steering wheel spinner-knob to assist with one-handed driving. A steering wheel spinner knob may be a surrogate to assist with one handed driving while immobilized.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • • Acute distal radius fracture treated with surgery and initially immobilized in a cast or splint
  • Valid driver's license with 1 years of driving experience and actively driving during the last three months
  • English speaking
  • Ability to start testing within 10 days of surgery

Exclusion criteria

  • • <18 years of age
  • Current use of steering wheel spinner knob or hand controls while driving
  • Non-drivers
  • Multi-trauma
  • Open fractures
  • Surgical repair with external fixation
  • Concurrent distal radius/ulnar joint injury and repair
  • Any other joint besides the wrist immobilized following surgery
  • Contralateral upper extremity disability
  • Previous ipsilateral upper extremity functional deficit
  • Inability to participate for the full length of the study

Treatment and study plan

Spinner knob

Other

No Knob

Other

Primary outcomes

  1. Steering reaction time

    Time frame: 6 months

    Steering reaction time measured using a driving simulator will be compared across three time points (acutely, sub-acutely, and return to function) following surgical treatment of a distal radius fractures. This will be evaluated with and without the use of a steering wheel spinner knob.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Steering accuracy

    Time frame: 6 months

    Steering accuracy measured using a driving simulator will be compared across three time points (acutely, sub-acutely, and return to function) following surgical treatment of a distal radius fractures. This will be evaluated with and without the use of a steering wheel spinner knob.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Prisma Health-Upstate

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Apr 7, 2014
Registry last updated
Feb 11, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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