Ring fixators vs. internal fixation: which is better for severe leg fractures?

NCT ID NCT01494519

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study looked at 442 people with severe open fractures of the shin bone (tibia). It compared two surgical approaches: using a modern ring external fixator (a frame outside the leg) versus internal fixation (a metal rod or plate placed inside the bone). The main goal was to see which method leads to fewer hospital readmissions for complications like infection or bone healing problems.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Surgery with an external ring fixator or internal fixation (nail/plate)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show which surgical method reduces complications and re-hospitalizations for severe open tibia fractures.
What could go wrong: This is a completed Phase 3 trial, but results may not apply to all fracture types or settings. Individual outcomes vary by injury severity and patient factors.

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

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

tibia fracture

As listed by the trial registrant

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

SEVERE OPEN FRACTURES OF THE TIBIA (SHIN) BONE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Allegheny General Hospital

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212, United States
Boston Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, United States
Carolinas Medical Center

Charlotte, North Carolina, 28232, United States
Denver Health and Hospital Authority

Denver, Colorado, 80204, United States
Eskenazi Health

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa General Hospital

Tampa, Florida, 33606, United States
Geisinger Health System

Danville, Pennsylvania, 17822, United States
Hennepin County Medical Center / Minneapolis

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55415, United States
MetroHealth Medical Center

Cleveland, Ohio, 44109, United States
Mission Hospital

Asheville, North Carolina, 28801, United States
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

Portsmouth, Virginia, 23708, United States
Naval Medical Center San Diego

San Diego, California, 92134, United States
Orlando Regional Medical Center

Orlando, Florida, 32806, United States
OrthoIndy / Methodist Hospital

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
Penn State University M.S. Hershey Medical Center

Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
Regions Hospital

Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55101, United States
San Antonio Military Medical Center

Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 78234-6315, United States
St Vincent Hospital

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46260, United States
St. Louis Medical Center

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

El Paso, Texas, 79905, United States
UCSF Medical Center

San Francisco, California, 94115, United States
UT Health: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States
University of Maryland, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
University of Miami Ryder Trauma Center

Miami, Florida, 33101, United States
University of Mississippi Medical Center

Jackson, Mississippi, 39216, United States
University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas, 78229, United States
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
University of Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157-1070, United States
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, 20889, United States