J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2015 Sep;19(3):86-90. 10.14193/jkfas.2015.19.3.86.

Comparison of the Results between Intramedullary Nailing and Plate Fixation for Distal Tibia Fractures

• Kim JH
• Gwak HC
• Lee CR
• Jung YH

• KMID: 2045010
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14193/jkfas.2015.19.3.86

Abstract

PURPOSE
We analyzed and compared the clinical and radiologic results between minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and internal fixation using intramedullary (IM) nail in the treatment of distal tibia fractures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From March 2005 to June 2013, 65 cases of distal tibia fractures treated with either plate fixation or IM nail fixation were analyzed retrospectively by clinical and radiologic evaluations. The clinical results were compared using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Olerud-Molander ankle score (OMAS), and visual analogue scale (VAS) score at the last follow-up. The radiologic results were compared by time to bone union, complications such as nonunion, delayed union, and malunion.
RESULTS
The clinical results (according to OMAS, AOFAS score, and VAS score) were 77.47, 84.76, and 1.75, respectively, in the plating group, and 90.21, 91.00, and 1.25, respectively, in the nailing group, and there was no statistically significant difference. Plating group showed earlier union than the nailing group and the nailing group showed higher frequency of non-union and delayed union than plating group.
CONCLUSION
In treatment of distal tibia fractures, two methods showed appropriate results. Therefore, thorough investigation of the types of fracture, state of soft tissues, and advantages and disadvantages of the two methods should be conducted in the treatment of distal tibia fractures.

Keyword

Distal tibia; Fracture; Plate; Intramedullary nail

MeSH Terms

Ankle
Follow-Up Studies
Foot
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary*
Retrospective Studies
Tibia*

Figure

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  Figure 1. (A) This photograph demonstrates cannulated tibia nail (CTN; Synthes, Solothurn, Switzerland). (B) Anteroposterior view of the left tibia show stabilized distal tibial fracture by the CTN. (C) Lateral view of the left tibia show stabilized distal tibial fracture by the CTN.

• 

  Figure 2. (A) This photograph demonstrates expert tibial nail (ETN; Synthes, Solothurn, Switzerland). (B) Anteroposterior view of the right tibia show stabilized distal tibial fracture by the ETN. (C) Lateral view of the right tibia show stabilized distal tibial fracture by the ETN.

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  Figure 3. (A) This photograph demonstrate locking compression plate distal medial tibia (LCP-DMT; Synthes, Solo-thurn, Switzerland). (B) Anteroposterior view of the right tibia show stabilized distal tibial fracture by the LCP-DMT plate using minimal invasive technique. (C) Lateral view of the right tibia show stabilized distal tibial fracture by the LCP-DMT plate using minimal invasive technique.

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  Figure 4. (A) This photograph demonstrate locking compression plate distal medial tibia low bend (LCP-DMT low bend; Synthes, Solothurn, Switzerland). (B) Anteroposterior view of the left tibia show stabilized distal tibial fracture by the LCP-DMT low bend plate using minimal invasive technique. (C) Lateral view of the left tibia show stabilized distal tibial fracture by the LCP-DMT low bend plate using minimal invasive technique.

Reference

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