Investigating kinematic alterations in upper limb following clavicle

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Investigating functional and kinematic alterations in upper limb motion following clavicular malunions

• IRAS ID

  345171

• Contact name

  Arpit Jariwala

• Contact email

  ajariwala@dundee.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Dundee

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 1 months, 29 days

• Research summary

  Background
  Clavicle fractures are a common injury to the shoulder, affecting a variety of patient age groups.The most common mechanism of injury is a fall onto the shoulder or arm. Management of these fractures depends on their location (medial, mid-shaft or lateral) and their nature (un-displaced, displaced, critical skin or comminution). Evaluation of these parameters gives options that include either conservative (i.e. immobilisation in a broad arm sling for a period of 4 weeks, followed by rehabilitation and physiotherapy) or operative management (i.e. open reduction and internal fixation and rehabilitation).
  Current evidence suggests displaced, mid-shaft clavicle fractures can be managed conservatively with satisfactory long-term functional outcomes, although critically other studies suggest 42% of people have residual sequelae; including deficit in shoulder strength and endurance.Common side effects of a conservatively managed fracture leading to malunion include pain, loss of strength, fatigue, and neurological symptoms.

  This study aims to assess patients who have sustained a traumatic clavicle fracture at least one-year prior to commencing the study (in order to allow potential confounding factors such as pain and stiffness to settle maximally).

  1) Control group = gender and age-matched individuals with no pre-existing shoulder issues.
  2) Conservatively managed displaced, midshaft clavicle fractures patients.
  3) Surgically managed displaced, midshaft clavicle fractures patients.
  

• REC name

  East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2

• REC reference

  25/ES/0076

• Date of REC Opinion

  14 Oct 2025

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion