Study of surgical management by internal fixation of distal tibia fractures

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness, functional results and complications following surgical internal fixation of comminuted distal tibia fractures with supracutaneous LCP plate. In this study 20 patients of fresh distal tibia fractures treated surgically following internal fixation by LCP plating, studied between January 2017 to March 2018. High energy trauma (RTA) accounts for 70% of cases, and according to AO\OTA classification 43A type of fracture pattern seen in majority of cases in our study. Surgeries were performed within 4-7 days average. All cases treated surgically by supracutaneous LCP plating, all the fractures united with a union rate of 92%. Radiological union was possible in 17.5 weeks, weight bearing started from 12 weeks, early ankle stiffness noted in 1% of cases which was overcome by good physiotherapy and full ankle motion observed in 90% patients. There were one case of superficial infections, one patient with deep infection got treated with antibiotics, and 1 patient with screw loosening had tightened with hexagonal screw driver. Functional results according to criteria by Jing Wei Zhang et al and Sven A.F. Tulner et al 60% of patients achieved excellent results, 30% patients' shows good results, and fair result obtained in 10% patients.