Referred Pain Areas in Subjects With a Recovered Radius Fracture

Universidad San Jorge

Status: Completed

Conditions: Radius Fractures

Treatments: Other: Pressure algometry and mapping referred pain areas

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03531801

PI16/094

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of the present study is to investigate pressure algometry and pressure-induced referred pain areas in pain free individuals with a history of distal radius fracture (fully recovered) compared with age and gender matched healthy controls without history of fracture. It is hypothesized that individuals with a recovered radius fracture will have a facilitated referred pain patter towards the wrist but normal pressure pain sensitivity.

Full description

Musculoskeletal injuries, nociception and pain can increase the sensitivity of the central pain mechanisms, which can be extended even after tissue recovery. However, little is known about the status of these central pain mechanisms once subjects are fully recovered from the tissue injury and pain. This information would help to explain pain conditions in which recurrence of the pain episodes is common (e.g low back pain or shoulder pain).

Pressure-pain thresholds have been widely used in pain research to test the sensitivity of the pain system. Additionally, referred pain has been shown as a valid biomarker for the sensitization of the pain system.

The aim of the present study is to investigate pressure pain sensitivity and referred pain patterns of individuals with a history of recovered fracture, compared with healthy controls.

Enrollment: 44 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects with a history of distal radius fracture without pain at the moment of the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects with symptoms (e.g pain), functional limitations, history of other fractures in the upper limb or any other pathology.

Trial design

44 participants in 2 patient groups

Recovered fracture group

Description:

The interventions will be conducted on both groups, on two experimental (approximately 45 minutes per session) sessions separated by 24 hours.Pressure algometry consists of measuring pressure pain thresholds at three bilateral muscle sites.Mapping referred pain areas consists of recording on an electronic body chart the area of pain induced by 60s pressure stimulation at 1.2 times the force needed to reach the pressure pain threshold, exerted on the extensor carpi radialis and the infraspinatus muscles.As group-differences can be attenuated at baseline but emerge on a sensitized (exercise-induced soreness) state, these procedures are performed at baseline and 24 hours after evoking exercise-induced muscle soreness. For further clarification see our recent publication PMID:29608510

Treatment:

Other: Pressure algometry and mapping referred pain areas

Control group

Description:

This group will receive the same intervention than the recovered fracture group

Treatment:

Other: Pressure algometry and mapping referred pain areas