Biomechanical Evaluation of Wrist Ligament Injuries: Diagnostic Tool to Detect Wrist Instability

Sponsor

State University of New York - Upstate Medical University (Other)

Overall Status

Completed

CT.gov ID

NCT00657072

Collaborator

National Institutes of Health (NIH) (NIH)

Enrollment

Location

65.1

Duration (Months)

0.8

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Damage to the ligaments of the wrist occurs frequently, however, it is not well publicized or understood. Our previous and current biomechanical studies have shown that damage to certain wrist ligaments is the likely cause of wrist instability and pain. Based on our three dimensional models and animations of actual cadaver motions with various ligaments intact or sectioned, we have identified several changes in how the carpal bones move and are positioned relative to the radius with various levels of instability. Using this information, we have developed a mathematical model that can predict in cadaver wrists which groups of ligaments have been injured. We started, under IRB approval, a prospective clinical study to evaluate the reliability of this mathematical model. During the past 5 years we have studied 13 patients with suspected wrist ligament injuries who were previously scheduled for surgical treatment. CT scans have been performed of the injured wrist and for comparison purposes, the contralateral, uninjured wrist. During these 5 years, there were no problems with the conduct of the study. During these 5 years the only changes to the original study application were

1. to include a CT scan of the contralateral wrist for comparison purposes
1. a paper handout given to potential subjects
1. to add additional people to the study team.

The principal investigator, blinded to the results of the CT scan, surgically explores and treats these patients in the same manner that he would for any patient with suspected wrist ligament injuries. During the surgery, the investigator determines the integrity of the various wrist ligaments. The prediction of which ligaments are damaged, based upon the CT scan information and mathematical model is compared to the actual surgical findings. The importance of this study is to develop a tool that will allow one to rapidly and non invasively diagnose wrist instability and initiate treatment before further damage is done.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Scapholunate Interosseous Ligament Torn Wrist Ligaments

Study Design

Study Type:

Observational

Anticipated Enrollment :

50 participants

Observational Model:

Case-Only

Time Perspective:

Prospective

Official Title:

Biomechanical Evaluation of Wrist Ligament Injuries: Diagnostic Tool to Detect Wrist Instability

Study Start Date :

May 1, 2003

Actual Primary Completion Date :

Oct 1, 2008

Actual Study Completion Date :

Oct 1, 2008

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

16 Years to 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Inclusion Criteria:

patients who have suffered ligamentous injuries to their wrists and have been referred to the principal investigator
subject selected to undergo surgery
The ethnicity and racial makeup of the group is similar to the demographics of the surrounding referral base
There will be no exclusion of any gender, racial or ethnic group