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

Prisma Health-Upstate

Status: Completed

Conditions: Distal Radius Fracture

Treatments: Other: Spinner knob; Other: No Knob

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02105038

Pro00026777

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

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.

Enrollment: 24 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

24 participants in 2 patient groups

Knob

Experimental group

Description:

Steering in a driving simulator using a steering wheel spinner knob.

Treatment:

Other: Spinner knob

No Knob

Active Comparator group

Description:

Steering in a driving simulator immediately following surgical treatment of hip fractures.

Treatment:

Other: No Knob