ABSTRACT
[Objective]To evaluate the radiographic and clinical results of locking compression plate and interlocking intramedullary nail in the treatment of distal tibial shaft fracture(4 to 11cm proximal to tibiotalar joint).[Method]A total of 65 cases of distal tibia shaft fractures were retrospectively reviewed from 2003 to 2007.Thirty-seven cases were treated with locking compression plate as group A,and 28 cases were treated with interlocking intramedullary nail as group B.According to AO classification system,32 cases were type A,12 were type B,21 were type C.[Result]All cases were followed up for 12-24 months(mean,16.5 months).Five cases were found delayed or nonunion,with 1 case in group A and 4 cases in group B.One case in group A and 2 cases in group B were found developed deep infection.Two cases in group A and 8 cases in group B received second operation.The good-to-excellent rates of ankle joint function were 91.9% in group A and 71.4% in group B.The good-to-excellent rates of knee joint function were 97.3% in group A and 78.6% in group B.[Conclusion]Distal tibial shaft fracture could be treated successfully with either percutaneous plates or intramedullary nails.Percutaneous locking plate is better than intramedullary nail in aspect of prevention of delayed union,malunion and second operation.