Could ultrasound replace x-rays for elbow injuries? new study investigates.

NCT ID NCT05602077

Diagnosis Sponsor: Eckehart SCHÖLL Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study compared the accuracy of bedside ultrasound (POCUS) with standard X-rays for diagnosing elbow fractures in 90 adults with indirect elbow trauma. Using CT scans as the gold standard, researchers aimed to see if ultrasound could be a reliable first-line tool. If proven accurate, ultrasound could offer faster, radiation-free diagnosis in emergency settings.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)
What this could lead to: If successful, ultrasound could become a first-line tool for diagnosing elbow fractures, reducing radiation exposure and improving speed in emergency rooms.
What could go wrong: This is a small, single-center study with only 90 participants. Results may not apply to all settings, and ultrasound may miss some fractures that X-ray would catch.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

90 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Nov 2022

Finished

Mar 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Informed Consent signed by the subject * Suspicion for an indirect elbow trauma as part of the routine management at the ED of the MIK. Exclusion Criteria: * Age below 18 * Patients who are lacking capacity of judgment * Patients with (temporary) cognitive impairment which makes an understanding of the patient information unlikely * Patients with limited knowledge of German or English which makes an understanding of the patient information unlikely * Patients with contraindications for US, XR or CT. * Lack of informed consent

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Elbow Fractures Humeral Fractures, Distal humerus fracture Radial Head and Neck Fractures radius fracture

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Coronoid process fracture Distal humerus fracture Elbow fracture Elbow sprain Radial head fracture

Could ultrasound replace x-rays for elbow injuries? new study investigates.

What the study statuses mean