Clinical study of a novel anatomic cuff for forearm crutches

ISRCTN ISRCTN11135150
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11135150
Secondary identifying numbers 2014/1
Submission date
07/02/2017
Registration date
14/02/2017
Last edited
16/03/2017
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis and affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage on the end of bones wears away. The bones then rub against one another, causing stiffness, pain and a reduction in the range of movement. In some, movement can be limited so severely that they need to use walking aids such as crutches to get around. Using forearm walking aids (crutches that attach at the forearm) often leads to pain in the forearms. Special handles called anatomic handles have been developed to increase the size of the contact area and reduce the pressure, but for many this is ineffective. One third of the load is transferred via the forearm. In contrast to the hand, the ulnar (outer, lower arm bone) is not well protected and this can often lead to compression of the ulna nerve, leading to pain. This study aims to look at the effectiveness of a newly developed anatomic cuff for forearm crutches which aims to protect the ulnar bone and distributing the load towards surrounding muscles and soft tissue.

Who can participate?
Patients with OA who have used forearm crutches on both sides for at least eight weeks.

What does the study involve?
All participants are given the special crutches with the anatomic cuff to use for four weeks. The length of the crutches is adjusted depending on participant height. At the start of the study and then after four weeks, participants complete questionnaires to assess their forearm pain and general helath.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from lower pain levels in their forearms than if they used conventional crutches. There are no notable risks involved with participating.

Where is the study run from?
University Hospital Basel (Switzerland)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2014 to December 2016

Who is funding the study?
University Hospital Basel (Switzerland)

Who is the main contact?
Professor Thomas Hügle
thomas.huegle@unibasl.ch

Contact information

Prof Thomas Hügle
Public

University Hospital Basel
Petersgraben 4
Basel
4031
Switzerland

Study information

Study designProspective non-randomised study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeQuality of life
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleProspective clinical evaluation of a novel anatomic cuff for forearm crutches in patients with osteoarthritis
Study objectivesAnatomic cuffs with ulnar protection are less associated with pain and discomfort in long-term users of forearm crutches.
Ethics approval(s)Ethikkomission beider Basel (EKBB) Switzerland, 03/06/2014, ref: E350/12
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedOsteoarthritis
InterventionAt baseline, all participants receive forearm crutches with an anatomic cuff (Ulnar Pro®, Rebotec, Quakenbrück, Germany) with anatomic hand grip (model soft, Rebotec, Quakenbrück, Germany) to use for four weeks. The length of the crutches are adjusted by the study team to the patients’ hand height during stance with the arms positioned at 20 to 30° elbow flexion. Clinical data are collected at baseline and at 4-weeks follow-up using questionnaires.
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
Phase
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measurePain along the forearm is measured using a questionnaire based on a unipolar 9-point Likert-scale designed for the purpose of this study at baseline and 4 weeks
Secondary outcome measuresGeneral health is assessed using 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) at baseline and 4 weeks
Overall study start date01/01/2014
Completion date31/12/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupMixed
SexBoth
Target number of participants20
Key inclusion criteria1. Suffering from osteoarthritis
2. Have used bilateral forearm crutches for at least 8 weeks prior to the study
Key exclusion criteria1. Infections of hands or forearms
2. Amputation
3. Neuropathy (e.g. due to diabetes or syringomyely)
4. Active rheumatic diseases
5. Upper limp injuries
Date of first enrolment01/03/2014
Date of final enrolment01/10/2014

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Switzerland

Study participating centre

University Hospital Basel
Petersgraben 4
Basel
4045
Switzerland

Sponsor information

University Hospital Basel
Hospital/treatment centre

Petersgraben 4
Basel
4031
Switzerland

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04k51q396

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

University Hospital Basel

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2017
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Thomas.huegle@unibas.ch

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 14/03/2017 Yes No

Editorial Notes

16/03/2017: Publication reference added.