Common Conditions affecting the Hand and Wrist

A randomised trial to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of repairing flexor digitorum profundus alone versus usual care for treatment of complete zone II flexor tendon injuries: the FLexor repAir and REhabilitation (FLARE) Trial

Addressing one of the Top 10 priorities: NIHR research in progress.

This study aims to find out whether, in adult patients with a recent injury to both flexor tendons in a finger, repairing one tendon only is no worse than repairing both and which of these treatments is cost-effective?

Repair of digital nerve injury

Addressing one of the Top 10 priorities: NIHR research in progress.

This study aims to find out whether repairing the nerve surgically (sewing the ends of the cut nerve) is beneficial or even needed. Thoroughly cleaning the cut before closing the skin is a much simpler procedure, and may be satisfactory for patients. There is some evidence that both treatments give good results.

Prospective randomised controlled trial comparing three splints for finger flexor tendon repairs (FIRST study)

Addressing one of the top priorities: NIHR research in progress

This study aims to find out which hand splint used following surgery gives people the best chance of getting back their normal hand use, what is it like to wear each splint, if people wear these as instructed, and which is better value for money.

Hand-2: Needle fasciotomy versus limited fasciectomy for treatment of Dupuytren's contractures of fingers: a randomised non-inferiority trial with an individual participant data network meta-analysis comparison with DISC (ISRCTN18254597) to compare outcomes after collagenase injections

Addressing one of the Top 10 priorities: NIHR research in progress.

Dupuytren's contractures are scar-like tissue that form under the skin of the palm of the hand, causing one or more fingers to bend into the palm (www.nhs.uk/conditions/dupuytrens-contracture/). They prevent them from straightening fully which causes difficulty with many everyday tasks. It is common: in 2016 NHS England spent £36M treating 16,700 patients with Dupuytren's contractures. Dupuytren's contractures are most commonly treated using one of two procedures and we don't know which is best. The problem can come back after either treatment. This study aims to determine which is best at preserving hand function and which treatment offers best value for money.

POINT: A multi-centre randomised trial of surgery versus non-surgical splint treatments for proximal phalanx shaft finger fractures in adults

Addressing one of the Top 10 priorities:NIHR research in progress.

A fracture of the proximal phalanx shaft finger is a common type of bone break in the section of the finger closes to the knuckle. A team at the University of Nottingham is investigating which treatment is better for the patient - surgery using metalwork to fix the fracture or treatment using finger splints applied in clinic. The team will also look at which treatment option represents best value for money.