Proximal(upper part)humerus fracture and physiotherapy

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Does the addition of physiotherapy manual mobilisation techniques provide a greater benefit to pain and function, in comparison to exercise alone, when rehabilitating patients with a stable proximal humerus fracture?

• IRAS ID

  126435

• Contact name

  Darly Evans

• Contact email

  d.evans@mdx.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The Society of Musculoskeletal Medicine

• Research summary

  This study will investigate the conservative (non surgical) treatment of patients who have suffered a fracture of the proximal (upper part) of the humerus (the long bone of the upper arm). The study will compare the effect of adding treatment techniques performed by a physiotherapist to a regime of exercises carried out by the patient. Patients will be referred for physiotherapy treatment following being diagnosed with a stable proximal humerus fracture by a qualified orthopaedic registrar or consultant with diagnosis being confirmed by x-ray.
  Patients will be reviewed by the masters student (qualified physio) 2-3 weeks following sustaining their injury to establish if they are suitable to take part in the study. Following checking inclusion and exclusion criteria and gaining consent the patient will be randomly assigned to one of 2 groups. Group A or Group B
  Group A patients will be given advice about the injury and be supervised by their physiotherapist as they are taught exercises that should help their recovery. They will also be asked to carry out exercises at home to be performed 3 times per day and, asked to complete a home exercise record sheet. Patients will need to return weekly for one 45 minute initial treatment session then seven 30 minute treatment sessions over at least an 8 week period. At each treatment session the patient will be reviewed by their physiotherapist and exercises progressed as required.

  Patients allocated to Group B will be treated exactly the same as Group A, however at their treatment sessions they will receive an added treatment that will be performed by their physiotherapist. This will involve initially gentle pain free movements of the arm/shoulder in different directions (Grade A mobilisation), progressing to movements that nudge into a little pain only (grade A+ mobilisation).

• REC name

  West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  13/WM/0177

• Date of REC Opinion

  21 May 2013

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion