Comparing buddy taping to a short arm splint for healing non-thumb metacarpal shaft fractures
Functional Treatment of Non-thumb Metacarpal Shaft Fractures. Randomized Study Evaluating Buddy Taping Versus Splint on Functional Recovery of the Hand
This trial will see if buddy taping helps adults with non-thumb metacarpal shaft fractures regain hand strength and function as well as a short arm splint over two months.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 96 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Sud Francilien Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Corbeil-Essonnes) |
| Trial ID | NCT06734364 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults who present to the emergency department with an X-ray–confirmed non-thumb metacarpal shaft fracture and meet eligibility criteria are randomized to receive either buddy tape or a short arm splint. Participants have routine clinical visits with X-rays on about day 15, day 30 (when the device is removed), and day 60, and a final visit around day 90 to monitor healing and hand strength. The main outcome compares hand activity and arm strength at two months between the two groups. No additional procedures beyond standard care are performed for study purposes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are consenting adults with a 2nd–5th metacarpal shaft fracture that is minimally displaced (tilt ≤30°) with no rotational deformity, who can attend in-person follow-up visits.
Not a fit: Patients requiring surgical fixation, those with significant displacement or rotation, pregnant patients, people who cannot understand French, or those under guardianship are unlikely to benefit from this comparison.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with stable metacarpal shaft fractures could use the simpler buddy taping and achieve similar hand strength and function while avoiding more cumbersome splinting.
How similar studies have performed: Previous smaller trials and observational studies of stable metacarpal fractures have often found buddy taping yields comparable short-term function to splinting, though results are not uniformly conclusive.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adult patient 2. Fingers 2 to 5 metacarpal shaft fracture, little or no displacement 3. Tilt less than or equal to thirty degrees 4. No rotation disorder 5. Patient who has given consent to participate in the study and has signed an informed consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. Surgical treatment indicated 2. Patient pregnant or likely to be pregnant 3. Patient who does not speak or understand French 4. Subject under guardianship or curatorship 5. Subject not beneficiary of a social security system.
Where this trial is running
Corbeil-Essonnes
- Centre Hospitalier Sud Francilien — Corbeil-Essonnes, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Adnan FOUFA, MD
- Email: adnan.foufa@chsf.fr
- Phone: 33 1 61 69 55 10
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.