A Clinical Study of Tibial Shaft Fracture: Using Plate Fixation on the Medial Surface of the Tibial Shaft

Cho, Hyoun Oh; Ko, Chul Eun; Suh, Dae Suk; Kwak, Kyung Duk; Lee, Chan Woo

Abstract

39 patients with tibial shaft fracture had treated by open reduction and internal fixation with AO DCP and screws applying on the medial surface of the tibia, at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ulsan Dongkang Hospital, from January, 1983 to December, 1985. A clinical study was done on all the 39 cases with the follow-up check over 1 year. In general, because the lateral surface of the tibia is well covered by rich soft tissue, it is popularized to apply the plate on the lateral aspect of the tibia. In our department, we applied the plate on the medial aspect of the tibia, which resulted in mimi-zing soft tissue injuries and, by inserting the screws perpendicular to the surface of the bone, increased stability of the fixation; and therefore resulted in relatively short operation time, relatively low incidences of infection and non-union; but there had been some drawbacks such as focal skin necrosis, hematoma, adhesion after fixatives removal, and cosmetic disfiguring. But there were no problems during the follow up periods. So, this is a recommandable procedure of internal fixation with the plate for the tibial shaft fractures.