This 2016 narrative review synthesizes all comparative literature — five RCTs and three retrospective studies — on plate versus intramedullary nail fixation for distal tibia shaft fractures, asking which implant better achieves alignment, union, and functional recovery.
When nailing a distal tibia fracture, malalignment is your biggest enemy — use suprapatellar technique, intraoperative reduction aids, and consider fibula fixation to hold your reduction.
Reserve locking plates for cases requiring them, as their stiffness trades alignment precision for a real nonunion risk that standard plates and nails largely avoid.
This 2016 narrative review synthesizes all comparative literature — five RCTs and three retrospective studies — on plate versus intramedullary nail fixation for distal tibia shaft fractures, asking which implant better achieves alignment, union, and functional recovery.
When nailing a distal tibia fracture, malalignment is your biggest enemy — use suprapatellar technique, intraoperative reduction aids, and consider fibula fixation to hold your reduction.
Reserve locking plates for cases requiring them, as their stiffness trades alignment precision for a real nonunion risk that standard plates and nails largely avoid.