BACKGROUND
Various modalities of treatment have been advocated in literature for treatment of distal tibia fracture. Treatment is challenging because of poor soft tissue coverage and precarious blood supply. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis preserves fracture hematoma, and periosteum with less surgical trauma. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in distal tibia fracture.
METHODS
This was a prospective observational descriptive study conducted in Department of Orthopaedics and trauma surgery, Patan Hospital, from September 2019 to August 2020 after institutions review committee approval. Patient fulfilling the inclusion criteria underwent MIPO with anatomically contoured 4.5 mm locking compression plate The associated distal fibula fixed with 3.5 mm reconstruction plate or 1/3 tubular plate or rush nail. Clinical and Radiological outcome were evaluated by using American Orthopaedic Foot Ankle Society score (AOFAS) and X-ray respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using EPI Info V7.2.2.2.
RESULTS
Fifteen (57.70%) patient had excellent, six (23.10%) had good and five (19.20%) had fair AOFAS score. Seven (27%) patient had valgus deformity. Mean time of partial and full weight bearing were 9.5±2.7 and 16.4±4.7 weeks respectively. Twenty one (80.80%) had union of the fractures within 26 weeks of surgery at mean time of 17.62 ±2.8 weeks and they return to work at mean time of 18.3±3.1 weeks.
CONCLUSION
MIPO is a reliable method of treatment for distal tibia fractures with high union rate and good functional outcome.
KEYWORDS
distal tibia fracture; minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis