Anatomically Percutaneous Wiring Reduction in Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Distal Tibial Fractures

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report the method of anatomical reduction and its maintenance by percutaneous wiring reduction in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for distal tibial fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 cases that were diagnosed oblique, spiral or transverse fracture of distal tibia from August 2007 to February 2010 and were able to anatomically reduce by the method of percutanous wiring reduction in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis were included in this study. Mean age was 50, and mean follow up period was 18 months. We investigated the period until bone union was achieved, degree of angulation angle, and complications. For postoperative evaluation, Olerud and Molander ankle score and VAS pain score in daily living were checked. RESULTS: The mean varus/valgus angulation after bone union on AP radiograph was 0.9 degrees and the mean anterior/posterior angulation on lateral radiograph was 2.0 degrees The mean Olerud and Molander ankle score was 89.4, and mean pain score due to walk adjacent to metal plate was 0 points. CONCLUSION: By the method of percutaneous wiring reduction in distal tibial fracture, anatomical reduction is easily acquired, and only by wire itself, reduction could be maintained, so that without additional manual reduction, plate could be easily fixed.