Use of a Vibration Tool for Postoperative Pain Control in Distal Radius Fractures

Last updated: March 13, 2024
Sponsor: Northwestern University
Overall Status: Active - Not Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Chronic Pain

Post-surgical Pain

Acute Pain

Treatment

Vibration tool

Clinical Study ID

NCT05318729
STU00214664
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The purpose of this research study is to determine if using a vibration tool improves pain control after surgical treatment of distal radius fracture. Additionally, the investigators would like to determine if this tool has any impact on consumption of pain medications postoperatively.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with a distal radius fracture who have undergone an open reduction andinternal fixation using a volar FCR approach with a single volar plate
  • Patients who can read, write, and follow direction in English
  • Willing to undergo occupational therapy at Northwestern Medicine's Hand Surgery clinic

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients undergoing oncologic surgery
  • Patients who undergo simultaneous surgery such as open carpal tunnel
  • Patients who only require closed reduction of distal radius fractures
  • Operative patients that require dorsal plate fixation or separate radial styloid platefixation

Study Design

Total Participants: 100
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Vibration tool
Phase:
Study Start date:
March 01, 2025
Estimated Completion Date:
July 31, 2027

Study Description

Traditionally, occupational therapists have utilized vibration for sensory re-education in compression neuropathies and peripheral nerve injuries. Vibration is also commonly used for desensitization of hypersensitivity following amputation, crush injury, and for hypersensitive scarring. Since the vibration tool is readily available in the hand therapy clinic, vibration analgesia should be further explored in the hand clinic to help reduce pain. Vibration is a simple, and non-invasive, tool and would be easy, economical, and practical to implement into the hand clinic for postoperative pain control. This research project will evaluate whether vibration can be a useful adjunct to current postoperative pain modalities. With a multidisciplinary approach, the investigators hope to highlight the use of non-opioid modalities of pain control in distal radius fractures and believe that the findings from this study may apply to other painful conditions of the hand as well.

Connect with a study center

  • Northwestern Medicine

    Chicago, Illinois 60611
    United States

    Site Not Available

Not the study for you?

Let us help you find the best match. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.