Acute dynamic scapholunate ligament Injury in the recreational athlete
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Acute dynamic scapholunate ligament Injury in the recreational athlete - a splinting and early mobilisation regime using dart thrower motion.
IRAS ID
210514
Contact name
Beenish Kamal
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
Wrist ligament injuries can and do occur in sport. Sometimes these injuries are secondary to the high demands placed upon the wrist ligament complex during training and competition (e.g. gymnastics) or due to specific injury (e.g. a fall on the outstretched hand). Because of the high demands on the body during sport participation, optimizing recovery to re-enable the body to cope with these demands is essential. Research plays an important role in informing the process of timely injury management.
At the present time there is no established pathway that mandates the most efficient and effective way to manage a dynamic scapholunate ligament injury – the most common of wrist ligament injuries. Both surgical and non-surgical intervention are available, however both can be associated with a poor functional outcome.
The aim of this particular piece of research will be to establish whether a particular subcategory of injury (dynamic scapholunate injury) is amenable to non-surgical intervention. Specifically can very early intervention with a splinting regime successfully protect the healing ligament and avoid the necessity for surgical intervention.
Using the currently available research literature to inform the decision making process, a splint will be selected to allow certain, protected movements that will help prevent wrist joint stiffness whilst simultaneously preventing undue strain on the healing ligament. It is anticipated that if successful, the athlete will have diminished pain and signs of healing as shown by carefully selected x-ray images and clinical examination.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0224
Date of REC Opinion
3 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion