UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Assistant Professor Kevin Williams, M.D., and Research Fellow Anthony Padgett, was awarded a one-year Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America $1,000 micro-grant for their project entitled “Return To Sport In Pediatric Upper Extremity Fractures.”

The purpose of the study is to validate pediatric PROMIS scores as a proxy to predict a safe return to sport following upper extremity fractures.

This study is composed of four online surveys consisting of an initial demographics survey and three subsequent surveys with PROMIS, psychological readiness, and return to sports sections. Patients are identified and enrolled via presentation to a dedicated orthopedic fracture clinic at a freestanding children’s hospital. Patients 8 to 16 years old with an upper extremity fracture who participate in athletics and present within 4 weeks of injury meet the proper criteria for the study.

There are currently 82 patients enrolled in the study. The investigators aim to analyze a cohort of at least 100 patients. All patients will receive standard care treatment for their fractures. Data will be analyzed to determine if an association exists between pediatric upper extremity PROMIS score and psychological and physical readiness to return to sport. The team hypothesizes that the PROMIS score will show good utility in indicating which patients are ready to return to play.