Rehabilitation Strategies to Improve Outcomes For Patients With a Lower Extremity Fracture

Launched by BRIAN W. NOEHREN · Mar 1, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a specific type of exercise program called high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to see if it can help people recover better after having surgery for a fracture in their leg, specifically in the femur or tibia. The study aims to understand how this walking program can improve recovery outcomes for patients who have experienced these kinds of injuries.

To participate in the trial, individuals need to be between 18 and 50 years old and able to read and speak English. They must have recently had surgery for a fracture in their femur or tibia that required a special type of fixation. However, people with certain conditions, like chronic pain, severe brain injuries, or those who are pregnant, cannot join. Participants can expect to engage in the HIIT walking program and attend follow-up visits to monitor their progress. Overall, this study seeks to find effective rehabilitation strategies for those recovering from serious leg injuries.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Ability to read and speak English
• • Acute orthopedic injury to the femoral or tibial shaft requiring surgical fixation with an intramedullary rod
• • Age 18-50 years of age
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of chronic pain defined as pain lasting more than 3 months and bothersome at least half the days over the past 6 months that started before the fracture
• • Moderate or severe traumatic brain injury
• • Initial treatment requiring amputation
• • Not employed at the time of the accident at least 20 hours per week.
• • Spinal cord injury
• • History of schizophrenia, dementia or neurologic disorder with peripheral dysfunction
• • Non ambulatory or limited ability to walk without an assistive device prior to the fracture
• • Multiple trauma that prevents early weight bearing
• • Current Pregnancy
• • Unable to participate in or complete in-person follow-up visits or therapy sessions
• • In outpatient Physical Therapy at the start of the intervention
• • Use of an assistive device to walk for community ambulation at the 10-12 weeks post hospital discharge time point