A Comparison of the Results between Intramedullary Nailing and Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis in Distal Tibia Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of treatment of distal tibial fractures between intramedullary (IM) nailing and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2007 and February 2012, 57 patients (57 cases) were treated for distal tibial fractures. Thirty-two patients (32 cases) were treated with IM nailing (nail group) and the 25 patients (25 feet) were treated with MIPO (plate group). Clinical results were compared using range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Olerud-Molander score between nail group and plate group. Radiographic results were compared using mean bony union time, coronal and sagittal malunions, and shortening between the groups. RESULTS: Mean ROM of the ankle joint was significantly larger in nail group until 6 months after surgery; however, it was not different between two groups at the last follow-up. AOFAS score and Olerud-Molander score were not different between two groups at the last follow-up. In the nail group, two malunions more than 5 degrees were observed in coronal and sagittal planes, respectively. One case showed non-union in the plate group, however, bone union was obtained after autogeneous bone graft. CONCLUSION: Treatment using IM nailing is more advantageous in terms of postoperative rehabilitation than MIPO in distal tibial fractures.