Lower limb pedestrian trauma triage tool
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of a pedestrian lower limb trauma triage tool
IRAS ID
310999
Contact name
Thomas Cloake
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Open fractures (fractures with an overlying wound to the skin) are devastating injuries that commonly occur in young people due to high energy mechanisms such as car accidents or falls from a height. The treatment of these fractures is challenging and often involves multiple surgeries and a long recovery process. It is important to make an early and accurate decision about treatment that can help patients recover from their injuries. Currently, classification systems exist to aid communication between clinicians and help inform treatment decisions. They are, however, often criticised for being difficult to use, poor at predicting outcomes and only valid once the patient has reached the operating theatre. Furthermore, modern classifications focus on clinical outcomes such as fracture healing and infection and do not assess patients' reported or functional results. This project investigates the factors that influence successful recovery from open fractures of the lower limb and creates a triage tool to help advise and improve treatment at first presentation to the hospital. Any adult patient (over 16 years of age) who has sustained an open lower limb fracture (femur, knee, tibia, ankle and foot) will be eligible for inclusion. The research will initially focus on pedestrian versus car accidents; however, it may be extended to cover other mechanisms of injury. Patients will be identified through a review of local hospital databases, supported by the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) data. Information about the injury mechanism will be obtained from pre-hospital clinical notes and police reports. Patient questionnaires will be used to measure recovery in terms of pain, function and return to activities.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EE/0078
Date of REC Opinion
11 May 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion