Clinical Research Directory

A Case Series: TRUMATCH Graft Cage for Segmental Long Bone Defects

This project consists of a prospective case design. Study candidates will include all patients ages 18 and over who were evaluated at UCSD and found to have a critical-sized humerus, femur, or tibia segmental defect that would be fixed through surgery. Patients who consent to study participation will receive the TRUMATCH Graft Cage for their long bone segmental defect repair. Data on healing rates, complication rates, re-operation rates, time to return to normal activity, and pain levels will be collected for each participation. After 3 years of data collection, we will analyze this data to provide further insight on the utility of the TRUMATCH Graft Cage. Given the significant difficulty with repairing segmental long bone defects, it is imperative to evaluate novel systems to appropriately manage these injuries.

Early Versus Delayed Rehabilitation After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Proximal Humerus Fracture

Proximal humerus fractures can be a debilitating injury in the elderly, impacting the ability to function independently or complete activities of daily living due to pain and restricted shoulder motion. Evidence has shown that reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) is an effective option to improve pain and function for patients with acute displaced proximal humerus fractures. Given that patients undergoing rTSA for proximal humerus fractures typically experience worse functional outcomes, worse patient-reported outcomes, and higher rates of complication compared to those with elective indications for surgical intervention, it is critical to determine a secure path to recovery for these patients after surgery. Early rehabilitation has been proposed to be safe and effective for patients who undergo rTSA for elective indications; however, there is a paucity of research evaluating safety and effectiveness of timing of rehabilitation for rTSA patients in the trauma setting. Currently, there exists a great variability in postoperative rehabilitation protocols across orthopaedic practices. This study's objective is to determine the safety and effectiveness of early postoperative rehabilitation on the outcomes and postoperative complications of patients undergoing rTSA for proximal humerus fractures in order to provide more specific recommendations for this patient population.

Effects of Photobiomodulation on Functional Recovery of Proximal Humerus Fractures

Among the various complications of the postoperative evolution of proximal humerus fractures (PHF) are pain and joint stiffness, generating significant functional limitation in the affected limb. This randomized controlled double-blind clinical study aims to evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on the functional recovery of participants with PHF surgically treated with special locking plates. The primary outcome, to be assessed at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, will be shoulder function recovery using the Quick-DASH functional scale. Secondary outcomes will include shoulder range of motion assessments with a digital goniometer, quality of life measured using the SF-6 questionnaire, and the occurrence of adverse effects during all experimental periods. Pain will be evaluated at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks; fracture consolidation will be assessed through radiographic examinations at 4, 8, and 12 weeks; and muscular strength will be evaluated through progressive weight-bearing exercises at 8 and 12 weeks. Data will be presented as means ± SD, with significance set at a p-value of 0.05.