Abstract
This is an outcome study of the use of plate fixation for treatment of comminuted fractures of the distal third of tibia to determine prognostic factors such as age, sex, type of fractures, soft tissue injury and type of implant on healing.
Since 1999, a single surgeon (VP) has performed minimally invasive fixation in 18 patients for complex transitional fractures of the tibia. Follow up has been achieved by a combination of clinical and radiological assessment and notes review.
An overall excellent-good result was obtained in 17 of 18 patients. In one patient, the fixation was revised due to a 20 degree external rotation mal position. In two cases there was mild external rotation of 10 degrees. There were no infections.
The treatment of difficult juxta-articular fractures with a minimally invasive fixation is a useful management option. Peri-articular plates are easy to insert and give better results with respect to alignment correction.
Correspondence should be addressed to the editorial secretary: Associate Professor Jean-Claude Theis, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dunedin Hospital, Private Bag 1921, Dunedin, New Zealand.
