A clinical study: management of distal tibial fractures with minimally invasive plating osteosynthesis

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Distal tibial fractures of bone poses major challenge to the trauma orthopaedic surgeons as this bone is subcutaneous associated with soft tissue injuries and precarious blood supply. Distal tibial fractures require accurate reduction, perfect articular restoration with stable fixation with minimal stripping of soft tissues, thereby preserving the blood supply. Minimally invasive osteosynthesis using locking plates has emerged as viable option of fixing such fractures due to poor results associated with open plating which leads to extensive soft tissues stripping and subsequently poor blood supply.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 27 patients with closed distal tibial fractures with or without articular involvement without vascular compromise were treated with LCP fixation using MIPO technique studied from June 2017 to December 2018.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> All fractures in our series united well at the end of 5 months with mean time to clinical and radiological union was 17 weeks. There was no case of implant failure while 2 patients had varus angulation. Very few soft tissue complications with excellent functional outcome were seen.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> We concluded that distal tibial fractures can be effectively managed with LCP using MIPPO technique with excellent functional outcome and avoiding the complications associated with other treatment methods. </p>