Referred Pain Areas in Subjects With a Recovered Radius Fracture

Pressure-induced Referred Pain is More Expansive in Individuals With a Recovered Non-painful Fracture

The purpose of the present study is to investigate pressure algometry and pressure-induced referred pain areas in pain free individuals with a history of distal radius fracture (fully recovered) compared with age and gender matched healthy controls without history of fracture. It is hypothesized that individuals with a recovered radius fracture will have a facilitated referred pain patter towards the wrist but normal pressure pain sensitivity.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Radius Fractures
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Pressure algometry and mapping referred pain areas

Detailed Description

Musculoskeletal injuries, nociception and pain can increase the sensitivity of the central pain mechanisms, which can be extended even after tissue recovery. However, little is known about the status of these central pain mechanisms once subjects are fully recovered from the tissue injury and pain. This information would help to explain pain conditions in which recurrence of the pain episodes is common (e.g low back pain or shoulder pain).

Pressure-pain thresholds have been widely used in pain research to test the sensitivity of the pain system. Additionally, referred pain has been shown as a valid biomarker for the sensitization of the pain system.

The aim of the present study is to investigate pressure pain sensitivity and referred pain patterns of individuals with a history of recovered fracture, compared with healthy controls.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 44

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Zaragoza
    • Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain, 50830
      • Universidad San Jorge

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Subjects with a history of distal radius fracture without pain at the moment of the study or any physical sequelae derived from the fracture.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with a history of distal radius fracture without pain at the moment of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with symptoms (e.g pain), functional limitations, history of other fractures in the upper limb or any other pathology.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Control
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Recovered fracture group; The interventions will be conducted on both groups, on two experimental (approximately 45 minutes per session) sessions separated by 24 hours.Pressure algometry consists of measuring pressure pain thresholds at three bilateral muscle sites.Mapping referred pain areas consists of recording on an electronic body chart the area of pain induced by 60s pressure stimulation at 1.2 times the force needed to reach the pressure pain threshold, exerted on the extensor carpi radialis and the infraspinatus muscles.As group-differences can be attenuated at baseline but emerge on a sensitized (exercise-induced soreness) state, these procedures are performed at baseline and 24 hours after evoking exercise-induced muscle soreness. For further clarification see our recent publication PMID:29608510	Other: Pressure algometry and mapping referred pain areas; The described procedures are tested at baseline and 24 hours after exercise-induced muscle soreness conditions.; Other Names: Delayed onset muscular soreness
Control group; This group will receive the same intervention than the recovered fracture group	Other: Pressure algometry and mapping referred pain areas; The described procedures are tested at baseline and 24 hours after exercise-induced muscle soreness conditions.; Other Names: Delayed onset muscular soreness

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
A change in the area of referred rain	This outcome measure corresponds to the difference or change in the size and distribution of the pressure-induced referred pain area, between the two experimental sessions.	24 hours (two experimental sessions separated by 24h).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
A change in pressure-pain thresholds	This secondary outcome measure corresponds to the force required to produce a MINIMAL pain(1 out of 10 on a 0-10 visual analogue scale)	24 hours (two experimental sessions separated by 24h).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Universidad San Jorge
• Collaborators: Aalborg University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Víctor Doménech-García, MSc, Universidad San Jorge

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 30, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 3, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): September 3, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 25, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 8, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): May 22, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 16, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 15, 2018
• Last Verified: October 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Referred pain; pressure algometry; pain mapping
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Wounds and Injuries; Arm Injuries; Forearm Injuries; Fractures, Bone; Radius Fractures; Pain, Referred
• Other Study ID Numbers: PI16/094

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No
• IPD Plan Description: There is no plan at the moment

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No