Abstract :
Background: Distal tibia fractures are commonly seen mostly after falls, direct blows or sports injury. Multiple risk factors exist like infection, nonunion, delayed union due to its subcutaneous location. Over years both intramedullary interlocking nailing and plate osteosynthesis has been done to fix these fractures. Both having their own advantages and disadvantages have no clear implant for fixation to be chosen.
Aim & Objectives: This study aims to evaluate distal tibia fractures in adult patients using radiographic diagnosis. It also seeks to assess the effectiveness of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and intramedullary nailing in treating these fractures. Additionally, the study aims to analyse radiological parameters post internal fixation and compare the functional outcomes of intramedullary nailing and plating in treating distal tibia fractures. Furthermore, the study intends to compare complications between intramedullary nailing and MIPO in treating distal tibia fractures.
Materials and Methods: The study was prospective and retrospective in nature conducted among 54 patients. All patients fulfilling inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were taken up for the study. Study was carried out over a period of 1 year.
Results: Majority of patients were male patients and were fixed majority by IMIL in our study with the mean age being 43.64 and 47.5 for IMIL and IPO respectively. AO type A2 being the most common fracture pattern. VAS showed no significant difference. Fracture union seen earlier in IMIL patients (12 weeks) while range showed no statistical difference. John and Wruh Scale showed no major difference while LEFS remained same in both.
Conclusion: IMIL should be considered as the gold standard in treating extra articular distal tibia fractures as patients can be mobilized earlier with weight bearing and risk of infections are less. Fracture pattern is the key in choosing the right implant, finally we conclude no functional difference in patients with distal tibia extra articular fractures treated either by IMIL or MIPO.
Keyword :
Distal tibia fractures, MIPO, IMIL, John and Wruh, Lower extremity functional scale, Union time, Complications.