A pilot of two rehabilitation programmes for scapholunate instability
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study to investigate two different physiotherapy rehabilitation programmes, to treat the conservatively managed scapholunate instability.
IRAS ID
218328
Contact name
Michael Hellawell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bradford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Scapho-Lunate (SL) instability is the most common form of wrist instability, but is complex to diagnose and is often missed entirely. The natural progression of SL instability has been suggested to lead to osteoarthritis.
The management of SL instability can be broadly divided into conservative and surgical, with the former being the first option taken by most medical professionals, which primarily involves physiotherapy.
The evidence base for physiotherapy management of SL instability is limited; however cadaver research has identified loading some of the wrist tendons may stabilise the scaphoid and lunate.There is currently no research as to whether this clinically makes any difference to the patients symptoms, or how to do it.
This research therefore aims to test the protocol and methods, and act as a platform for larger studies, to investigate this.
Two different exercises approaches will be tested; one to strengthen the tendons in static positions and the other to strengthen the tendons whilst the wrist is moving. Three different measurements will be taken to see if there is any difference between the groups over 8 weeks.REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EE/0135
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion