Treatment of Tibial Plateau Fractures Using a Locking Plate and Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Osteosynthesis Technique

PURPOSE: To acknowledge the importance of precise reduction of articular surface of tibial plateau fractures and to make a guideline of treatment by evaluating outcomes and effectiveness of using locking plate and minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients who underwent surgery for tibial plateau fracture from November 2005 to March 2010 were enrolled with 12 months follow-up in a retrograde manner. The Shatzker classification was used to classify fractures, and we used lateral submeniscal approach to make a precise reduction of articular surface. Radiologic evaluation was determined by presence of bone union, malalignment, and reduction loss or joint depression of articular surface. Post-operative infection, time of active movement of the knee joint, time of partial weight loading, and range of motion (ROM) of knee joint were evaluated. Lysholm Knee Score was used for functional evaluation. RESULTS: Bone union took place in all but one case that developed osteomyelitis. Angulation deformity of more than 10degrees and reduction loss or joint depression of more than 5 mm were not observed. There was one case of osteomyelitis and one case of superficial surgical site infection. There were satisfactory clinical results, with an average time of active knee joint movement and weight loading of 6 weeks. The average ROM of knee joint was 125degrees in the last follow up. As for functional evaluation using Lysholm Knee Score, cases showed an average Lysholm Knee Score of 94 which was a satisfactory result. CONCLUSION: In cases of tibial plateau fractures, if a surgeon accurately reduces the articular surface of joint and use minimally invasive locking plate it will help in bone union biologically, reducing the incidence of soft tissue injuries, and biomechanically maintaining the articular surface of the joint, proving itself to be a useful method of treatment.

Treatment of The Pilon Fracture involving Tibial Shaft using Two Staged MIPO Technique / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate surgical treatment using two-staged MIPO technique in tibial pilon fractures involving tibial shaft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients, who underwent two-staged MIPO technique for pilon fractures involving tibial shaft between January 2003 and May 2005, were followed for more than one year. Radiographs were graded by the criteria of Anglen and ankle functions were graded by the criteria of Mast and Teipner. Ankle function, union time and postoperative complications were also analysed. RESULTS: Clinically there were eight (67%) good results, three (25%) fair results and one (8%) poor result. At the last follow-up, the radiographic results showed seven (58%) excellent results, three (25%) good results, and two (17%) fair results. During the follow up, There was one case of nonunion CONCLUSION: Two-staged MIPO techinque is one of the good methods for the treatment of pilon fractures invloving tibial shaft.

Lateral Plate Fixation of Distal Tibial Metaphyseal Fracture Using Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis Technique

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of lateral plate fixation using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique as a treatment of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the patient who were treated from March, 2002 to September, 2004, the cases of twenty patients with distal tibial metaphyseal fracture treated by lateral plate fixation using MIPO technique who were able to be followed up for at least one-year period were reviewed in this study. According to AO/OTA classification, five were type A1, twelve cases were type A2 and other three cases were type A3, and among them two cases were open fracture type I according to the Gustillo-Anderson classification. Radiologic studies and clinical assessment described by Daniel et al and complication following the treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: At a mean of 16.4 weeks (range 11 to 23), all fractures united without secondary procedures. According to clinical assessment, all cases had good and excellent result, and there were no complications. CONCLUSION: The lateral plate fixation using MIPO technique of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture is an efficient method of treatment with high functional recovery rate which minimize soft tissue damage, decreases the risk of infection and incidence of nonunion at the same time as the classic MIPO technique does, and it is a useful alternative method when there is a anteromedial soft tissue damage.

Double Plating of Proximal Tibial Fractures Using Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Osteosynthesis Technique

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results and its efficacy of double plating for proximal tibial fractures using minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique. MATERIAL & METHODS: Twenty-three fractures, followed-up more than 1 year, were included in this retrospective study. There were 18 men and 5 women, and the mean age was 53.5 years-old. According to the AO-OTA classification, five were 41A, 13 were 41C, and 5 were 42. There were four open fractures (grade I- three, grade III A-one case). The plates were fixed on the medial and lateral sides of tibia with MIPO technique. Functional and radiographic results were evaluated by the modified Rasmussen system. RESULTS: All fractures healed without bone graft, and the mean period for fracture healing was 19.3 weeks (range, 10~32 weeks). All other patients had excellent or good clinical or radiological results, except for two patients of a fair clinical result after a combined injury. Complications included one case of shortening (1 cm) and two cases of mal-alignments (varus less than 10 degrees). There was one case of superficial infection, but no patient showed deep infection. CONCLUSION: Double plating using MIPO technique can provide favorable results in the treatment of proximal tibial fractures.

Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Distal Tibial Metaphyseal Fracture

PURPOSE: To retrospectively reviewed the outcomes and advantages of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique as a new treatment of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen distal tibial metaphyseal fractures were treated by MIPO technique and evaluated radiologically and functionally. A mean age was 46 years old (range 20~69 years) and a mean follow-up was 15 months (range 6~37 months). Sixteen fractures were not extended into ankle joint (AO/OTA type A1;4, A2;8, A3;4) and three fractures were extended into ankle joint (AO/OTA type C1;2, C2;1). Two cases were open fractures (type I;1, type III-A;1) according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification. RESULT: At a mean of 18 weeks (range 12 to 24), all fractures united without secondary procedures. A mean score was 94.2 point by Baird ankle scoring system. There were no complications including shortening over 1 cm, mal-alignment over 5 degrees, deep infection, or implant failure. CONCLUSION: MIPO technique of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture is a worthwhile method with good unions and functional recovery.