Ultrasound to find elbow fractures in children
Official title: The Utilization of Ultrasound to Diagnose Pediatric Elbow Fractures: Evaluation of Cost Savings, Radiation Exposure, and Patient Satisfaction
Run by Nemours Children's Clinic · NCT07212036 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether using bedside ultrasound instead of X-rays helps children who come to the ER with elbow pain.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | Any age to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 225 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Nemours Children's Clinic Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Orlando, Florida) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 22, 2025 |
| Main results expected | September 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | September 2, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | January 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07212036 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children presenting to the ER with isolated elbow pain after trauma who do not have obvious deformity, open wounds, polytrauma, suspected infection or tumor, or clinical concern for nursemaid's elbow.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with multiple injuries, visible displaced fractures, open wounds, non‑traumatic swelling, suspected infection or tumor, or suspected nursemaid's elbow are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
In this interventional trial, children who present to the emergency department with elbow pain are assigned to either point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) of the elbow or standard radiography. Trained clinicians will perform bedside PoCUS to screen for isolated elbow fractures while the comparison group receives routine elbow X-rays. Primary outcomes are emergency visit cost, radiation exposure, length of stay, and patient/family satisfaction measured with pain and satisfaction surveys. Outcomes will be compared between the two groups to determine whether PoCUS reduces radiation, cost, and time and improves comfort and satisfaction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, point-of-care ultrasound could lower children's radiation exposure, shorten ER visits, reduce costs, and increase patient and family comfort and satisfaction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous point-of-care ultrasound work for pediatric extremity injuries has shown promising reductions in radiation and faster care, though elbow-specific evidence is more limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: • Pediatric patient with elbow pain Exclusion Criteria: * Polytrauma (more than one injury) * Deformity of the arm including the elbow * Pain in any other location than the elbow * Pain in other parts of the same limb including the, wrist, forearm, shoulder, hand * Pain in other limbs, * Puckering of the skin (skin indentation) * Obvious fracture * Open wound at or around the elbow * Pain and swelling without trauma * Concerns for tumor or infection * Suspected nursemaid's elbow
Where it's running
-
Nemours Children's Hospital
Orlando, Florida, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jason B Malone, DO — Nemours Children's Health
- Study coordinator: Jason Malone, DO
- Email: jason.malone@nemours.org
- Phone: 407-319-3487
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.