Comparison of Functional Outcome Between Locking Plate Technique Versus Hybrid Ilizarov Technique in Patients With Schatzker Type V and VI Tibial Plateau Fractures (TPF)

August 15, 2026 updated by: Prof. Sajjad Hussain Goraya
This comparative clinical study will evaluate and compare the functional outcomes of patients with Schatzker type V and VI tibial plateau fractures treated using either the locking plate technique or the hybrid Ilizarov technique. Functional outcome will primarily be assessed using the Rasmussen Knee Functional Score. Fracture healing, time to union, non-union, delayed union, and infection will also be assessed and compared between the two treatment groups.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Complex tibial plateau fractures, particularly Schatzker type V and VI fractures, are associated with substantial articular and metaphyseal injury and may present challenges in achieving satisfactory fracture reduction, stable fixation, soft-tissue preservation, and functional recovery.

The present comparative study will be conducted in the Orthopedic Department of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. A total of 78 patients meeting the eligibility criteria will be recruited. Participants will be assigned to one of two treatment groups: Group A will undergo fixation using the hybrid Ilizarov technique, while Group B will undergo fixation using a locking plate technique.

Patients will undergo clinical and radiological assessment during follow-up. Functional outcome will be assessed using the Rasmussen Knee Functional Score. Radiographs will be obtained at regular follow-up intervals to evaluate fracture healing and union. Postoperative complications, including infection and non-union, will be documented.

The study will compare functional outcomes and fracture-healing outcomes between the two treatment techniques.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

78

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients of either sex.
  • Age between 25 and 50 years.
  • Patients presenting within 2 weeks of sustaining the fracture.
  • Patients diagnosed with complex tibial plateau fractures classified as Schatzker type V or VI.
  • Patients willing to participate in the study.
  • Patients providing written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Associated ipsilateral limb fractures.
  • Pathological fracture of the tibia.
  • Associated major organ injuries.
  • Psychiatric illness that may interfere with participation or outcome assessment.
  • Refusal to provide informed consent.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Hybrid Ilizarov Technique
Patients with Schatzker type V or VI tibial plateau fractures will undergo fracture reduction and fixation using a hybrid Ilizarov external fixation technique. Closed or minimally open reduction will be performed under C-arm fluoroscopic guidance, followed by application of a hybrid Ilizarov frame using tensioned Kirschner wires and Schanz screws. Bone graft or bone substitute may be used when clinically indicated.
Procedure: Hybrid Ilizarov Fixation
Patients with Schatzker type V or VI tibial plateau fractures will undergo fracture reduction and fixation using a hybrid Ilizarov external fixation system under C-arm fluoroscopic guidance. Closed or minimally open reduction will be performed as appropriate. The construct will consist of a hybrid Ilizarov C-ring with appropriately tensioned Kirschner wires and Schanz screws. Additional wires or fixation components may be used when required to achieve adequate fracture stability and alignment. Bone graft or bone substitute may be used when clinically indicated.
Active Comparator: Locking Plate Technique
Patients with Schatzker type V or VI tibial plateau fractures will undergo fracture reduction and internal fixation using a locking compression plate under C-arm fluoroscopic guidance. Appropriate medial and/or lateral plate fixation will be performed according to fracture configuration and stability. Bone grafting may be used when clinically indicated.
Procedure: Locking Plate Fixation
Patients with Schatzker type V or VI tibial plateau fractures will undergo fracture reduction and internal fixation using a locking compression plate under C-arm fluoroscopic guidance. The appropriate surgical approach and medial and/or lateral plate configuration will be selected according to fracture morphology, comminution, and stability. Bone graft or bone substitute may be used when clinically indicated. Postoperative rehabilitation will include early knee range-of-motion exercises, non-weight-bearing ambulation initially, and progressive weight-bearing according to clinical and radiological fracture healing.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Rasmussen Knee Functional Score
Time Frame: 8 weeks and 16 weeks
Functional outcome will be assessed using the Rasmussen Knee Functional Score at the final postoperative assessment. Scores will be categorized as excellent (27-30), good (20-26), fair (10-19), or poor (6-9). The score will be compared between patients treated with hybrid Ilizarov fixation and those treated with locking plate fixation.
8 weeks and 16 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Prof. Sajjad Hussain Goraya

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

August 16, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 16, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 16, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 15, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 15, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

August 19, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 19, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 15, 2026

Last Verified

August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • ERB196/4/06-11-2025/AIMC/JHL

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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