Comparing two methods for treating humeral shaft fractures in the emergency room

Comparison of Bracing With Co-aptation Splinting for the Initial Treatment of Acute Humeral Shaft Fractures: The COBRAS Trials

Not applicable Interventional NYU Langone Health · NCT05118087

This study is testing whether a Sarmiento brace or a coaptation splint works better for helping people with humeral shaft fractures feel more comfortable and recover faster in the emergency room.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment66 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorNYU Langone Health Academic / other
Locations3 sites (Garden City, New York and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05118087 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two initial immobilization techniques for acute humeral shaft fractures: the Sarmiento brace and coaptation splinting. Patients presenting with these fractures will be randomly assigned to receive one of the two treatments, and their comfort levels, pain, narcotic usage, and functional outcomes will be monitored over a two-week period. The goal is to determine which method provides better patient-related outcomes and overall comfort during the initial treatment phase.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults over 18 years old with isolated acute humeral shaft fractures who are treated non-operatively.

Not a fit: Patients with open fractures, polytrauma, or those requiring surgical intervention will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved comfort and reduced pain for patients with humeral shaft fractures during their initial treatment.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on humeral fractures, this specific comparison of bracing techniques is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Presenting to an emergency room or ICARE in the participating centers with an acute humeral shaft fracture
2. Age above 18 and skeletally mature
3. Isolated Injury
4. Treated non-operatively first 2 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Open fractures
2. Poly trauma
3. Injuries deemed operative by attending surgeon
4. Patients undergoing treatment for malignancy
5. Prisoners

Where this trial is running

Garden City, New York and 2 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Humeral FracturesSarmiento BraceCoaptation Splint
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.