2023 OTA Annual Meeting : Rotational Alignment in Tibia Diaphyseal Fractures with the Suprapatellar Semi-Extended versus Standard Upper Entry Tibial Intramedullary Nailing: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RASPUTIN)

In this randomized controlled trial, patients with tibia diaphyseal fractures were randomized to receive suprapatellar semi-extended intramedullary nailing or standard upper entry tibial intramedullary nailing. Outcomes of interest included incidence of rotational malalignment, coronal and sagittal plane malalignment, knee pain, knee function, knee and ankle range of motion, and union rates. Overall, the incidence of rotational malalignment was 34% with the majority of the patients reporting an external rotation deformity. Anterior knee pain was significantly lower in the suprapatellar group, whereas knee function, knee and ankle range of motion, and union rates were similar between the two groups.