Screening the cervical spinal cord (cervical myelopathy) in people with hip fractures from ground-level falls.
Cervical Myelopathy in Hip Fracture Patients
This project will test whether a focused history and physical exam, with a cervical MRI when indicated, can find cervical myelopathy in people admitted for hip fractures after a ground-level fall.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Indiana University Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Fishers, Indiana and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06893406 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Cervical myelopathy is spinal cord compression in the neck that commonly causes poor coordination and balance and may raise the risk of falls and fragility fractures. This interventional screening program enrolls patients admitted with hip fractures from ground-level falls at three Indiana hospitals and performs a targeted history and neurologic exam looking for signs of cervical myelopathy. If the clinical exam suggests myelopathy, a cervical spine MRI will be offered to confirm the diagnosis. Identified patients can then be referred into appropriate treatment pathways aimed at preventing future falls and fractures.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults admitted to Eskenazi Hospital, Indiana University North Hospital, or Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital for a hip fracture caused by a ground-level fall, without a clear neurologic/cognitive disorder or a syncopal/stroke-related cause of the fall, are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients whose falls are clearly explained by dementia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, syncope, a cardiac condition, or who cannot undergo MRI are unlikely to benefit from this screening approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the screening could identify previously unrecognized cervical spinal cord compression and connect patients to treatments that may reduce future falls and additional fragility fractures.
How similar studies have performed: Only one small prior orthopedic report (28 patients) found an 18% rate of probable cervical myelopathy based on history and exam but did not obtain MRIs, so MRI-confirmed evidence is currently lacking.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patient admitted to Eskenazi, Methodist, or IU North hospital for a hip fracture (femoral neck, intertrochanteric, subtrochanteric, or pertrochanteric fracture) that was caused by a ground level fall. Exclusion Criteria: * Neurologic or cognitive disorder explaining the fall (dementia, Parkinson's disease, delirium, etc.) * Syncopal fall or fall caused by stroke or a heart condition
Where this trial is running
Fishers, Indiana and 2 other locations
- Indiana University North Hospital — Fishers, Indiana, United States (Recruiting)
- Eskenazi Hospital — Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (Recruiting)
- Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital — Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Zachary J Gunderson, MD
- Email: zgunders@iu.edu
- Phone: 2193215850
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.