Abstract
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of humeral fracture braces in promoting functional recovery, reducing pain, and enhancing the quality of life in patients with humeral fractures 6 months post-injury.
- To assess patient satisfaction with the use of humeral fracture braces and its impact on the overall management of humeral fractures.
- To determine whether the use of humeral fracture braces significantly influences the long-term outcomes and quality of life of patients with humeral fractures when compared to those not receiving brace treatment.
Study design: It was a prospective cohort study.
Place and duration of study: The study spanned a 6-month period, running from June 2022 to December 2022, and was conducted at City Care Hospital in the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics , Rawalpindi.
Material and Methods: It followed a parallel-group design with two cohorts: Group A, comprising patients who received standard conservative treatment, including the use of humeral fracture braces, and Group B, consisting of patients who did not receive brace treatment. The assignment to these groups was based on the clinical judgment of the treating physician and patient preferences.
Results: In this study, the use of humeral fracture braces yielded substantial benefits, with patients in the brace group (Group A) experiencing significant improvements in functional recovery, pain management, and quality of life at 6 months post-injury. Notably, the mean DASH score in Group A decreased from 31.2 (baseline) to 15.8 at 6 months, while in the non-brace group (Group B), it decreased from 30.5 (baseline) to 20.3 at 6 months. Pain levels, measured using VAS, also decreased significantly in Group A, with the mean VAS score for pain decreasing from 7.0 (baseline) to 2.5 at 6 months. Furthermore, patients in Group A reported an improved quality of life, with the mean SF-36 physical component score increasing from 42.0 (baseline) to 57.4 at 6 months. A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Conclusion: Patient satisfaction data revealed a high level of contentment with the use of humeral fracture braces among patients in the brace group (Group A), with 87% expressing satisfaction. In contrast, the non-brace group (Group B) had a lower rate of patient satisfaction at 47%, emphasizing the positive influence of brace treatment on patient experiences and outcomes.
Keywords: Humeral fractures , Orthotic braces, Pain management, Quality of life assessment.
References
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