Evaluation of Limb Function and Perception in Rehabilitation After Traumatic Wrist Fracture Surgery

Evaluation of the Functionality and Perception of the Injured Limb in the Rehabilitation Process of Orthopedic Patients Undergoing Surgical Treatment for Traumatic Wrist Fracture

The goal of this observational study is to assess the functional and perceptual alterations of the affected limb during rehabilitation in adult orthopedic patients who underwent surgical treatment for distal radius fractures. The main questions it aims to answer are:

What is the correlation between functional and perceptual alterations of the affected limb at the beginning and end of rehabilitation? How do these alterations influence rehabilitation duration and effectiveness?

Participants will:

Complete the patient questionnaires ((QuickDASH and ALPQ). Undergo handgrip strength tests and digital dynamometer tests to assess forearm muscle strength.

Have their range of motion evaluated by a physiotherapist during outpatient visits.

No additional diagnostic or instrumental examinations are required beyond routine clinical practice. The study will recruit 100 adult patients, last 24 months, and provide insights into the role of body perception in rehabilitation after wrist fractures.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Rehabilitation; Distal Radius Fractures; Body Perception

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 100

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: TITO BASSANI, PhD; Phone Number: +390283502244; Email: tito.bassani@grupposandonato.it

Study Locations

• Italy
  • Milano, Italy, 20157
    • IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study will include adult orthopedic patients undergoing rehabilitation after surgical treatment for a traumatic distal radius fracture. Participants will be recruited from the Hand Surgery Unit at IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi - Sant'Ambrogio (Milan, Italy).

Eligible patients must have undergone volar approach surgery for an isolated wrist fracture and will start a structured rehabilitation program following a 5-week immobilization period.

Excluded from participation are individuals with neurological, psychiatric, or cognitive disorders, prior fractures in the same limb, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

A total of 100 participants will be consecutively enrolled to ensure a representative sample for statistical analysis.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults (≥18 years old)
• Patients who have undergone surgical treatment with a volar approach for a traumatic distal radius fracture at IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi - Sant'Ambrogio.
• Willingness and ability to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre-existing neurological, psychiatric, or cognitive disorders that could affect motor function or body perception.
• Previous fractures of the same limb.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding (self-reported).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Correlation between functional and perceptual alterations at the beginning and end of rehabilitation	The study will evaluate the relationship between functional parameters (grip strength, range of motion, QuickDASH score) and perceptual parameters (ALPQ score for body perception).	Measured at T1 (start of rehabilitation) and T2 (end of rehabilitation, 4-10 weeks later)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Effect of functional and perceptual alterations on rehabilitation duration and effectiveness	Examines how initial functional and perceptual impairments influence: Rehabilitation duration (measured in weeks and number of therapy sessions). Rehabilitation effectiveness (difference in QuickDASH, ALPQ, strength, and range of motion scores between T1 and T2).	Measured at T0 (before rehabilitation, after immobilization), T1 (start of rehabilitation), and T2 (end of rehabilitation, 4-10 weeks later)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: I.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio
• Collaborators: HES-SO Valais-Wallis

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 4, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 7, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 10, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 18, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 15, 2025
• Last Verified: March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Arm Injuries; Forearm Injuries; Wrist Injuries; Wrist Fractures; Fractures, Bone; Radius Fractures
• Other Study ID Numbers: POLSO24 (L3057)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No