Hemiarthroplasty Or Total Elbow Arthroplasty in the Elderly.

NCT ID: NCT04646798

Last Updated: 2020-11-30

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

20 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-11-30

Study Completion Date

2023-11-30

Brief Summary

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A feasibility study to assess the practicality, and obtain preliminary data to inform, a definitive Randomise Control Trial (RCT) in patients over the age of 65 diagnosed with un-reconstructible distal humeral fractures, to determine if there are differences in functional outcomes between those undergoing a hemiarthroplasty and a total elbow arthroplasty? Over an 18 month recruitment period the investigators will assess recruitment rates and participants willingness to be randomised to one of two routine clinical treatments. During a 1 year routine clinical follow up period (at 3 time points), routinely collected orthopaedic outcome data will be recorded and differences between groups explored.

Detailed Description

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Comminuted intra-articular distal humerus fractures (DHF) in the elderly population (over 65 years) have long been a treatment dilemma. Fixation of the fracture often results in development of arthritis and is associated with severe arthrofibrosis (stiffness) and pain. As a consequence, it has become standard practice that elderly patients with these injuries are treated with either elbow hemiarthroplasty (HA) or total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). Both allow immediate mobilisation of the affected arm, with good long term pain and range of motion outcomes reported for both implants in a variety of articles. However each implant has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Elbow HA allows full lifting and loading activities to continue in the operated elbow. However, the concern is that the metal articulation on native cartilage may result in wear and pain associated with this resulting in the need for conversion to a total elbow prosthesis. As this is revision surgery it carries additional risks over first time surgery. Secondly the collateral ligaments have to be reattached and this risks instability following the surgery if this fails.

Patients with TEA are required to avoid lifting and loading activities with the affected arm from the point of surgery and this is ongoing. Such activity can result in failure of the implant with bushing wear, or early progression to aseptic loosening. However, with complete resection of cartilage there is no concern of progressive ulna wear or pain and some literature has suggested a better range of motion due to the semi-constrained nature of the implant meaning condyle retention is not required.

To date no study has directly compared the two arthroplasty options for DHF's in elderly patients. Both implants are currently offered in the Royal Devon and Exeter, National Health Service Foundation Trust (RD\&E NHS FT), while other trusts locally are known to offer only one approach. This reflect the uncertainty around which treatment may be better: current provision options are based on the operating surgeon's skills and clinical experience.

To address this state of clinical and personal equipoise will require a large, multi-centred, randomised controlled trial of HA vs TEA, for patients over the age of 65 diagnosed with un-reconstructible DHF's. Before this can be considered the investigators need to assess the feasibility of such a study, and obtain preliminary data to inform its development.

Conditions

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Distal Humerus Fracture

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

To assess the feasibility of undertaking a randomised controlled trial of hemiarthroplasty versus total elbow arthroplasty for patients over the age of 65 who have an unreconstructible distal humeral fracture
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
Participant and clinician will not be masked. Data outcomes will be assessed by the research team utilising unique study Identifiers only and group allocation.

Study Groups

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Hemi Arthroplasty (HA) of the elbow.

Hemi Arthroplasty (HA) of the elbow, where the surgeon replaces the bottom of the humerus bone at the elbow.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Hemiarthroplasty

Intervention Type OTHER

standard surgical approaches to repair of fractured elbows

Total Elbow Arthroplasty (TEA).

Total Elbow Arthroplasty (TEA), where the surgeon fits a new elbow joint replacing damaged parts of the humerus bone and forearm bone that it joins onto.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Total elbow arthroplasty

Intervention Type OTHER

standard surgical approaches to repair of fractured elbows

Interventions

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Hemiarthroplasty

standard surgical approaches to repair of fractured elbows

Intervention Type OTHER

Total elbow arthroplasty

standard surgical approaches to repair of fractured elbows

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Aged 65 or over at time of surgery
* Scheduled for operative repair by TEA or HA if fracture deemed unfixable.
* Willing and able to provide informed consent
* Willing and able to be randomly allocated to one of two surgical options
* Willing and able to return for local routine clinical follow up

Exclusion Criteria

* Aged under 65 at time of surgery
* Patients unable to independently consent for inclusion for any reason
* Patients who have had previous elbow joint infections
* Patients who will be unable or unlikely to be able to attend for local routine clinical follow-up (e.g. foreign nationals or holidaymakers who will seek follow-up away from our centre).
Minimum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Christopher Smith, MBBCH

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Royal Devon and Exeter National Health Service Foundation trust

Locations

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NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility

Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom

Site Status

Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust

Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom

Site Status

Countries

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United Kingdom

Central Contacts

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Christopher Smith, MBBch,

Role: CONTACT

Phone: +44 1392403560

Email: [email protected]

Bridget A Knight, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: +44 1392408172

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Christopher Smith, MBBch

Role: primary

Joanne Lowe

Role: backup

References

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McKee MD, Veillette CJ, Hall JA, Schemitsch EH, Wild LM, McCormack R, Perey B, Goetz T, Zomar M, Moon K, Mandel S, Petit S, Guy P, Leung I. A multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial of open reduction--internal fixation versus total elbow arthroplasty for displaced intra-articular distal humeral fractures in elderly patients. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2009 Jan-Feb;18(1):3-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2008.06.005. Epub 2008 Sep 26.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18823799 (View on PubMed)

McKee MD, Wilson TL, Winston L, Schemitsch EH, Richards RR. Functional outcome following surgical treatment of intra-articular distal humeral fractures through a posterior approach. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2000 Dec;82(12):1701-7. doi: 10.2106/00004623-200012000-00003.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11130643 (View on PubMed)

O'Driscoll SW. Optimizing stability in distal humeral fracture fixation. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2005 Jan-Feb;14(1 Suppl S):186S-194S. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2004.09.033.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15726080 (View on PubMed)

Huang TL, Chiu FY, Chuang TY, Chen TH. The results of open reduction and internal fixation in elderly patients with severe fractures of the distal humerus: a critical analysis of the results. J Trauma. 2005 Jan;58(1):62-9. doi: 10.1097/01.ta.0000154058.20429.9c.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15674152 (View on PubMed)

John H, Rosso R, Neff U, Bodoky A, Regazzoni P, Harder F. [Distal humerus fractures in patients over 75 years of age. Long-term results of osteosynthesis]. Helv Chir Acta. 1993 Sep;60(1-2):219-24. German.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8226060 (View on PubMed)

Korner J, Lill H, Muller LP, Hessmann M, Kopf K, Goldhahn J, Gonschorek O, Josten C, Rommens PM. Distal humerus fractures in elderly patients: results after open reduction and internal fixation. Osteoporos Int. 2005 Mar;16 Suppl 2:S73-9. doi: 10.1007/s00198-004-1764-5. Epub 2004 Oct 29.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15517186 (View on PubMed)

Pereles TR, Koval KJ, Gallagher M, Rosen H. Open reduction and internal fixation of the distal humerus: functional outcome in the elderly. J Trauma. 1997 Oct;43(4):578-84. doi: 10.1097/00005373-199710000-00003.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9356051 (View on PubMed)

Srinivasan K, Agarwal M, Matthews SJ, Giannoudis PV. Fractures of the distal humerus in the elderly: is internal fixation the treatment of choice? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2005 May;(434):222-30. doi: 10.1097/01.blo.0000154010.43568.5b.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15864057 (View on PubMed)

Nestorson J, Ekholm C, Etzner M, Adolfsson L. Hemiarthroplasty for irreparable distal humeral fractures: medium-term follow-up of 42 patients. Bone Joint J. 2015 Oct;97-B(10):1377-84. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.97B10.35421.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26430013 (View on PubMed)

Phadnis J, Watts AC, Bain GI. Elbow hemiarthroplasty for the management of distal humeral fractures: current technique, indications and results. Shoulder Elbow. 2016 Jul;8(3):171-83. doi: 10.1177/1758573216640210. Epub 2016 Apr 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27583016 (View on PubMed)

Egol K, Koval K, Zuckerman J. Handbook of fractures Fifth Edition. Wolters Kluwer Press

Reference Type BACKGROUND

McKee MD, Jupiter JB. Fractures of the distal humerus. In: Browner B, Jupiter J, Levine A, Trafton P, editors. Skeletal trauma. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott; 2002. p. 765-82

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Burden EG, Batten TJ, Thomas W, Evans JP, Smith C. Hemiarthroplasty or total elbow arthroplasty for unreconstructible distal humeral fractures in the elderly (hot elbow): A feasibility study. Shoulder Elbow. 2025 Apr;17(2):200-208. doi: 10.1177/17585732241244722. Epub 2024 Apr 17.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 39552682 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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R&D Study No: 2011059

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id