EASY Algorithm: Bedside ultrasound to screen children aged 5 to 15 for elbow fractures

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a multicenter prospective cohort study across German hospitals that compares point-of-care (bedside) ultrasound to standard X-rays for children with recent elbow injuries. Clinicians will use ultrasound to look for joint fluid or other signs suggesting an elbow fracture, and all participants will receive standard elbow X‑rays as the reference test. Medical records will be reviewed and children without fractures at the visit will receive a 6‑week follow-up call to check healing and safety. The aim is to determine how accurately and safely ultrasound can be used as a screening tool to reduce unnecessary X‑rays and speed up care.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* children and adolescents aged 5-15 years with anamnestic and clinically justified need for the exclusion of a fracture after elbow trauma

Exclusion Criteria:

* elbow trauma as part of a polytrauma,
* parents' insufficient German language skills (spoken or written),
* trauma more than 72 hours ago,
* presentation at the emergency room with current, post-traumatic external X-ray images of the affected elbow joint from another clinic or practice,
* open fracture of the affected elbow joint,
* skin avulsion of the affected elbow joint,
* visible deformity of the affected elbow joint,
* and pathological status of peripheral circulation, motor function, and/or sensitivity.

Where it's running

• Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln
  Berlin, Germany Recruiting
• Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
  Berlin, Germany Recruiting
• Klinikum St. Marien Amberg
  Amberg, Germany Not yet recruiting
• Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch
  Berlin, Germany Not yet recruiting
• Klinikum Chemnitz
  Chemnitz, Germany Not yet recruiting
• Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden
  Dresden, Germany Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Timo Munz, Dr. med.
• Email: timo.munz@charite.de
• Phone: 0049-30-450666875

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Buzzy bee vibration and cold for easing pain and fear during elbow pin removal

  We will test whether the Buzzy vibrating ice-pack can reduce pain and fear for children ages 3 to 10 during elbow pin removal.

  Recruiting at 2 sites University of Oklahoma · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and 1 other locations · NCT07520851

• Bioabsorbable headless screws for ankle, knee, and elbow fractures in kids and teens

  A post-market follow-up study in pediatric and adolescent patients is testing how well and safely Bioabsorbable Inion CompressOn screws perform for fixing ankle, knee, and elbow fractures over four years.

  Recruiting Inion Oy · Turku · NCT07473947

• Fixing a broken elbow with a metal plate versus non-surgical care in older adults

  This test sees if using a metal plate to fix a displaced olecranon fracture helps older adults with low arm demands recover better and regain arm function than non-surgical treatment.

  Recruiting Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona · Lugano · NCT07400692

• Diaphragm function after an interscalene block with liposomal bupivacaine

  This study tests whether liposomal bupivacaine used with an interscalene block affects diaphragmatic function in adults having upper limb surgery.

  Recruiting Zhejiang University · Hangzhou, Zhejiang · NCT07263295

• Ultrasound to find elbow fractures in children

  This trial tests whether using bedside ultrasound instead of X-rays helps children who come to the ER with elbow pain.

  Recruiting Nemours Children's Clinic · Orlando, Florida · NCT07212036

• Comparing two surgical methods for treating olecranon fractures

  This study is testing which surgical method, cerclage fixation or tension band wiring, works better for treating certain types of elbow fractures in adults to see if it leads to fewer complications and re-operations.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Region Skane · Lund, Skåne County and 1 other locations · NCT05657899

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.