Outcome of various modalities of management of distal tibia fracture

Abstract

Background: Distal tibial fractures represent less than 7% of all tibial fractures. The present study was conducted to compare outcome of various modalities of management of distal tibia fractures. Materials & Methods: 45 distal tibia fracture patients of both genders were divided equally into 3 groups of 15 each. Group I patients were treated with intra-medullary nail, group II patients treated with external fixator and group III patients with MIPO (Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Osteosynthesis). The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was recorded. Gustilo Anderson (GA) type of fractures and complications were recorded. Results: GA type 1 was seen in 10, 2 in 8, 3A in 7 and no GA type in 20 patients. AO classification A1 was present in 5, A2 in 6, A3 in 15, B1 in 8, C1 in 5, C2 in 5 and C3 in 3 patients. The mean AOFAS score was 74.2 in group I, 70.5 in group II and 89.2 in group III. Complications were non- union seen in 1, 2 and 3, ankle stiffness in 2, 2 and 1, wound discharge in 0, 1 and 1, vagus deformity in 3, 2 and 0 and valgus deformity in 1, 3 and 2 in group I, II and III respectively. The difference was significant (P