{
  "abstract": "Introduction Geriatric distal femur fractures are associated with mortality rates exceeding 20%, comparable to hip fractures. Traditional single implant fixation often requires weight-bearing restrictions that delay recovery. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing dual vs single implant fixation for geriatric distal femur fractures.Methods and analysis This multicentre, prospective, randomised controlled pilot trial will enrol 80 participants aged 60 years or older with displaced distal femur fractures at five US level 1 trauma centres. Patients will be randomly allocated 1:1 to receive either single implant (lateral plate or retrograde nail) or dual implant (nail-plate or dual plate) fixation. All patients will be permitted immediate weight-bearing. The primary outcome is feasibility assessed through enrolment rate (80 patients in 12 months), protocol adherence (≥90%) and follow-up retention (≥85% at 12 months). Secondary outcomes include post-surgical mobility (AM-PAC, TUG), patient-reported outcomes (PROMIS-PF, PROMIS-29), mortality (90-day and 1 year) and complication rates. Analyses will be on an intention-to-treat basis.Ethics and dissemination The protocol was approved by the University of Utah Institutional Review Board (IRB_00149119) and IRBs at all participating centres. Written informed consent will be obtained from participants or legally authorised representatives. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.Trial registration number NCT05292313.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Justin Haller"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA",
        "Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Chukwuebuka C Achebe"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Garret Oman"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University (NYU), New York, New York, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Sanjit Konda"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Pittsburgh Medical Center – Harrisburg (UPMC-H), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Matthew Garner"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mayo Clinic, Rochester, New York, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Brandon Yuan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Lucas S Marchand"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Graham J DeKeyser"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Dual versus single implant fixation for geriatric distal femur fractures: protocol for a randomised, controlled pilot study at five US level 1 trauma centres",
  "uid": "1f36e175-72ab-5d39-ae8e-21df55f70969"
}