NCT01644344

A Prospective Trial Comparing the Cost of Post Operative X-rays for Fractures Treated With Stable Internal Fixation

Pilot Study for a Randomized Control Trial Comparing the Cost of a Simplified Post-Operative Radiographic (SPOR) Protocol for Fractures With Stable Internal Fixation Treated at Health Sciences Centre

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 39 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Manitoba · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 17 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The standard post-operative radiographic protocol for the monitoring of fractures at HSC includes post-operative in hospital radiographs as well as radiographs at the two week follow up appointment. This is in addition to good quality intra-operative radiographs. With current operative techniques and implants, orthopaedic surgeons can achieve reliably stable internal fixation. In fact, patients are often allowed to take weight through the fractured limb immediately post-operatively. In these cases, redundant post-operative radiographs likely represent an avoidable cost to the system financially, and an avoidable cost to the patient in additional time spent in hospital and unnecessary radiation exposure.

Conditions

• Simplified Postoperative Radiographs

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	No-Xray	Treatment group: these patients will not have routine post-operative in hospital radiographs, or radiographs in clinic at two weeks. After examining the patient, the surgeon or resident can order radiographs if required at any time. The decision will be made based on patient complaints of increased pain, appearance of abuse of the splint or cast suggesting lack of compliance or visible clinical deformity of the limb. The reason leading to radiographs will be documented by the ordering physician. If radiographs are ordered based on a wound complication, this will be specifically documented. Radiographic findings will be documented on a form identical to that used for the control group.
OTHER	Xray

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-01-01
• Primary completion: 2012-08-01
• Completion: 2012-08-01
• First posted: 2012-07-19
• Last updated: 2012-10-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada