Clinical Outcomes of Locking Compression Plate Fixation through Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Plate Osteosynthesis in the Treatment of Distal Tibia Fracture

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical results of operative treatment of distal tibia fracture with locking compression plate fixation through a minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 46 patients (conventional open surgery 22 patients, minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis: 24 patients) with fracture of the distal tibia who were treated with plating between November 2006 and June 2010. The time of bony union, complications, range of motion, and clinical functional outcome (according to American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, AOFAS) were investigated. RESULTS: In the minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis group, the average union time was 14.3 weeks, postoperative range of motion was an average of 55.2, average AOFAS was 96.9, and incidence of complications was 20.8%. In the open surgery group, the average union time was 18.9 weeks, postoperative range of motion was an average of 49.1, average AOFAS was 83.8, and incidence of complications was 32.6%. There were statistically significant differences (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment with locking compression plate fixation through the minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis technique showed favorable results regarding its union time, postoperative functional outcome, and incidence of complications. The locking compression plate fixation through minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis technique can be an effective treatment option.