NCT01524965

The Effect of the Timing of Postoperative Mobilisation After Locking Plate Osteosynthesis of Fractures of the Surgical Neck of the Humerus

The Effect of the Timing of Postoperative Mobilisation After Locking Plate Osteosynthesis of Fractures of the Surgical Neck of the Humerus.

• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 94 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Helsinki · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Open reduction and locking plate osteosynthesis is a commonly used and well-accepted treatment for displaced fractures of the proximal humerus. The shoulders tend to end stiff despite intensive rehabilitation, limiting the function of the upper extremity and decreasing the quality of life. The accepted postoperative mobilisation protocol includes passive exercises until six weeks postoperatively and active range of motion exercises after that. There is good evidence that conservatively treated fractures of the same site heal better and faster if mobilised immediately. The study compares "standard mobilisation" versus "immmediate mobilisation" in a prospective, randomized, controlled trial in order to find the optimal time-frame for physiotherapy to produce best possible results. Outcome measures are assessed at specific time points after the operation and comparisons between groups are made to follow the rate of recovery and end results.

Conditions

• Humeral Fracture

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Immediate mobilisation after locking-plate osteosynthesis	Immediate passive range of motion exercises are begun postoperatively, after 3 weeks, active unloaded mobilisation begins after three weeks and active, loaded use is allowed 6 weeks postoperatively. Surgical procedure is open reduction of the fracture and internal fixation of the fracture using a locking plate using standard deltopectoral approach and AO principles in fracture management.
PROCEDURE	Standard mobilisation after locking plate osteosynthesis	Immediately postoperatively the arm is held in a sling, active mobilisation of healthy joints and pendel exercises are befun. Passive range of motion exercises of the shoulder are begun 3 weeks postoperatively. Active mobilisation begins after six weeks. Surgical procedure is open reduction of the fracture and internal fixation of the fracture using a locking plate using standard deltopectoral approach and AO principles in fracture management.
DEVICE	Osteosynthesis with a locking plate (Philos)	Standard open reduction and internal fixation using a deltopectoral approach. Fracture fixation is done using a locking plate (Philos, Synthes) following the AO principles of fracture management.

Timeline

• Start date: 2011-05-01
• Primary completion: 2023-10-11
• Completion: 2023-10-21
• First posted: 2012-02-02
• Last updated: 2025-01-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Finland