A placebo control trial to assess the role of calcitonin in early fracture healing in intertrochanteric fracture treated surgically: A prospective study

Abstract

Background: Intertrochanteric fractures often result from trivial injury in the old age patient and is a fracture occurring outside the joint capsule. Calcitonin has been used to treat patients with hip fracture because it is a potent inhibitor of bone resorption. However, its role in decreasing pain intensity, promoting early mobilization and fracture healing is still under debate. Method: We conducted a placebo controlled prospective study over two years from 2018 to 2019 to assess the role of salmon calcitonin administered intranasally, in terms of analgesia and early fracture healing in 40 patients randomised into two groups. Group 1 given intramuscular calcitonin for 7 days followed by intranasal till 10 weeks while group 2 received placebo (Normal saline). Patients were followed up till 10 weeks post-operatively. The mean age was 50.5 years (range 32 years to 68 years) with 28 (70%) female and 12 (30%) male patients and the commonest cause of injury was fall from standing position (80%). Results: There was statistically significant difference between the minimum Rush score in Interventional group vs control group at 6th week and 10th week (23 vs 18; 29 vs 23) and maximum score (26 vs 21; 30 vs 28). Similarly, intensity of the pain at 1st, 6th and 10th week using WILCOXEN TEST was significantly reduced (p value