Scaphoid Fracture management in Children , Version 1.1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Scaphoid Fracture management in Children: new algorithm based on Clinical Scaphoid Score optimising Diagnosis and Treatment.

  • IRAS ID

    189181

  • Contact name

    Kerstin Oestreich

  • Contact email

    kerstin.oestreich@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Birmingham Children's Hospital

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    The Scaphoid is the commonest small bone of the wrist fractured when an individual falls on their outstretched hand. Fractures of this bone are difficult to diagnose in the acute setting and further investigations including imaging may be required. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan is widely accepted as the imaging modality of choice, but is expensive, time consuming and not readily available in the emergency setting.
    A scoring system, tested in Adults, has been shown to help predict likelihood of scaphoid fracture and hence guide which patients require MRI scan.
    Objective: To investigate usefulness of a scoring system - Clinical Scaphoid Score (CSS) based on 3 commonly performed clinical tests, in predicting presence or absence of Scaphoid fractures in children, with MRI scan as the Standard investigation for confirmation.
    Design: Prospective trial.
    Centre: Birmingham Children´s Hospital (BCH)
    Intervention: Over a period of one year all children 6 to 16 years of age presenting to BCH emergency department and Hand Trauma Clinic with a history of fall on outstretched hand and wrist pain, will be enrolled subject to informed consent. CSS will be calculated from standardised testing by experienced clinicians in Emergency department or dedicated Hand Clinics at first point of contact. Plain X-ray of wrist will be carried out in all cases, at first attendance. An MRI scan will also be carried out for all patients who enter the study.
    Treatment and follow up: Children with confirmed fracture or CSS of 4 or higher will be treated according to configuration of fracture either surgically or conservatively. This could involve placing them in a protective plaster cast for up to 6 weeks and final review 6 months from injury. Those who score less than 4 or have negative MRI scan will be offered removable splints and follow up on request only.

  • REC name

    West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/WM/0111

  • Date of REC Opinion

    5 Jun 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion