Forearm range of motion after a distal radius fracture malunion
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Biomechanical changes in the wrist and forearm after a distal radius fracture malunion
IRAS ID
166644
Contact name
Isidro de Jesús Sánchez Arce
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 26 days
Research summary
The distal end of the radius is considered as a part of the wrist. Sports accidents (like falls during cycling or skating) among the younger generation as well as falls amongst the elderly may result in a fracture of the distal radius. Distal radius fractures are treated using techniques ranging from splints and castings to surgery involving screws and plates.
After healing of the distal radius fracture, anatomical changes may be present in the forearm and wrist that could affect the biomechanics of the hand and forearm. A commonly observed change is a reduction in the range of motion during internal and external rotation (pronation and supination) in some patients. In addition, misalignment during fracture healing produces changes in the motion behaviour of the wrist. These changes may be the cause of wrist deformity and arthritis in the future.
The aim of this project is to investigate the cause of the reduction in the forearm range of motion in patients with a healed distal radius fracture. Motion analyses will be performed to look for kinematic and kinetic differences between the intact and the healed arms. Similarly, finite element analysis will be used to compare simulated healthy and injured arms. Motion analyses and numerical models will be used to investigate what might be causing the reduction in the range of motion, as well as any correlation with the misalignment of the fracture.
The participants will perform rotational motion of both forearms, similar to the motion used in daily life for turning a door knob. The data from these tests will show how the misaligned fracture has affected the patient’s motion.REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0196
Date of REC Opinion
16 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion