MARK NICHOLLS Patients from Norfolk suffering from painful heel fractures are to be offered the chance to take part in a major clinical trial.

MARK NICHOLLS

Patients from Norfolk suffering from painful heel fractures are to be offered the chance to take part in a major clinical trial.

The trial aims to test the effectiveness of routine surgery to treat severe heel fractures compared to non-surgical treatment.

Severe heel injuries are suffered by about 2,000 people in the UK every year due to crushing and fracturing usually as a result of road accidents or falling off ladders.

Around 10 patients will be recruited at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for the local arm of the

trial being run by orthopaedic surgeon AD Patel.

The £500,000 trial is funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign, is co-ordinated by surgeons and academics at the University of Warwick in Coventry, and will see 150 patients in 18 UK hospitals being recruited.

Contact co-ordinator Dr Rose Jarvis at Warwick Medical School, Clinical Sciences Research Centre in Coventry on 02476 968625 or r.m.jarvis@warwick.ac.uk