
Study of Tibial Shaft Fracture Fixation: Intramedullary Nailing Comparing With Dynamic Compression...
Tibial Shaft FractureThe purpose of this study is to determine which surgical approach is better for treatment of tibial shaft fracture

Evaluation of Cork Splint Materials Instead of Plaster Splint for Children
Wrist FracturesForearm Fractures4 moreThis is an evaluation of the functionality and added value of cork splint materials instead of a plaster splint for children (3-11 years old).

RCT Determining Best Treatment for Geriatric Acetabular Fractures
Acetabular FractureThere is debate over the best management for acetabular (hip) fractures that occur within the geriatric population. Geriatric patients, 60 years or older, are at greater risk for operative complications because they tend to have poorer bone quality, complicated fractures, and multiple health problems. Physicians currently have no guidelines as to the best surgical management for these particular fractures, because there is little data on the long-term outcomes of these injuries. The use of internal fixation (a nail or plate) is a standard method for repairing these injuries, however when the injuries are complicated it is predicted to have a poorer outcome than performing internal fixation along with total hip arthroplasty (joint reconstruction). Given the significant problems that result from hip fractures in this population, our study is designed to determine the best method for treatment of acetabular fractures and to clarify the criteria for treatment with guidelines assisting the physician in selecting the appropriate treatment.

Low-level Laser Therapy in Distal Radius Fractures
Colles' FractureConservative treatment of distal radius fracture is immobilisation with cast for 4-6 weeks. After removing the cast, it is common to still have pain, swelling and reduced mobility in the wrist. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of LLLT on the hand.

Surgery vs. Casting for Displaced Articular Radius Fractures in Elderly
Radius Distal FractureObjective: to compare the functional outcome after open reduction and internal fixation with non-operative cast treatment for elderly patients with displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures.

Hemiarthroplasty Versus Total Hip Replacement for Intracapsular Hip Fractures
Hip FracturesIn England each year over 9,000 people fracture their hip. Most of these are elderly females with the fracture occurring after a fall. Approximately half of these fractures are classified as intracapsular fractures because of their close proximity to the hip joint. The majority of these fractures are treated surgically by excising the broken femoral neck and removing the femoral head (ball part of the hip joint) and replacing it with an artificial hip joint. This hip replacement has traditionally been a hemiarthroplasty or sometimes termed a 'half hip replacement' in which only the ball part of the hip joint is replaced. An alternative type of hip replacement is the full total hip replacement in which the socket part of the joint is also replaced. This is the operation that is used for replacing arthritic hips. In recent years there have been a number of randomised trials that have compared the outcome for patients with an intracapsular hip fracture treated with either a partial hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty) against those treated with a total hip replacement (THR). Results to date have suggested slightly better long term functional results for those treated with a THR, but it still remains unclear if these benefits are offset by the increased surgical complexity of the procedure and the extra cost involved for a THR. At present the numbers of studies on this topic are too few with limited patient numbers to make any definite conclusions. This study aims to add to the research studies by comparing the two surgical procedures, to enable orthopaedic surgeons to determine the optimum surgical treatment for this common and disabling condition.

Conservative Treatment vs. Volar Plating of Distal Radius Fractures
Distal Radius FracturesA prospective, randomized controlled single-center trial with 80 patients aged 50 years and above to compare the functional and radiological results of conservative treatment and volar fixed-angle plating in the management of distal radius fracture

Cemented K-wire Fixation vs Open Transfixion Pinning
Closed Fracture of FingerFinger FractureTo introduce a novel external-fixation technique using the combination of K-wires and cement, and the objective of this report is also to compare the technique with conventional open transfixion pinning.

Cast OFF Trial: One Versus Four-five Weeks of Plaster Cast Immobilization
Distal Radius FractureDistal radius fracture (DRF) is a common fracture of which the incidence appears to be increasing worldwide. On average, a total of 17% of all diagnosed fractures are DRF's. In the Dutch guideline for DRF the treatment advice for DRF, without reduction, is treatment with plaster cast or brace for one-three weeks. Despite the advice in the guideline and despite several studies from the 90's showing that plaster cast treatment of a stable DRF for one week is safe, the usual length of plaster cast treatment for stable DRF is four-six weeks. In addition, recent studies have also shown that a long period of immobilization can lead to more post traumatic pain by increasing disuse and kinesiophobia. This evidence suggests that the usual duration (4-6 weeks) of plaster cast treatment for DRF is unnecessary. The aim of this feasibility study is to define whether one week of plaster cast treatment is possible and can lead to better functional results, with at least the same patient satisfaction and complications. In addition, this feasibility study will be used to define the sample size of the future RCT.

Medial Malleolus: Operative Or Non-operative
Ankle Fracture - Medial MalleolusMedial malleolus: Operative Or Non-operative (MOON study) Ankle fractures are a common Orthopaedic trauma presentation, accounting for approximately 10% of the workload. There has been debate regarding the significance of the contribution of the medial malleolus to ankle stability. Some deem the lateral malleolus as the key stabiliser. With this anatomically aligned the ankle joint should be stable. Operating on the medial malleolus fracture often requires a second generous skin incision, soft tissue stripping and insertion of metalwork. This carries with it the risk of wound complications, infection and increased operation time. High risk patients including the elderly, diabetics and those with significant swelling following injury are particularly vulnerable. The study will include adult patients (≥16 years) with capacity to consent and complete post-operative questionnaires, presenting to a single Orthopaedic trauma unit. Participants will be randomised to fixation or non-fixation of associated medial malleolus fractures at the same time as fixation of the lateral malleolar fracture to assess if this impacts on validated patient outcomes, failure, operative time and complications over a one-year follow-up. Only one trial has been published, showing no significant difference between failure rates or outcomes, but reduced operative time. Participants will be enrolled into the trial following informed consent. The final decision on whether a participant is eligible can only be made during surgery when the medial malleolus fracture has reduced with no more than 2mm displacement. If this is confirmed the participant will be randomised to receive either fixation or non-fixation of the medial malleolus. Randomisation therefore occurs at the time of surgery. Participants will be reviewed at set post-operative checkpoints, with X-rays and patient reported outcome scores. Trial data will hopefully enable surgeons to make better informed decisions when managing patients with ankle fracture dislocations.