Assessment of proximal tibial fractures managed with locking compression plate

Abstract

Background: Proximal tibial fractures refer to fractures that occur in the upper part of the tibia, which is the larger bone in the lower leg. The present study was conducted to assess management of proximal tibial fractures by locking compression plate. Materials & Methods: 70 proximal tibial fractures of both genders were treated with MIPO and ORIF. Parameters such as side, type of fracture, type of reduction, principal, operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, healing time etc. were recorded. Results: Out of 70 patients, males were 40 and females were 30. Side was left in 32 and right in 38. Type of fracture was pure cleavage in 29, cleavage with depression in 15, central depression in 5 cases, medial condyle fracture in 6, bicondylar fracture in 8 and metaphysio diaphyseal dissociation in 7 cases. Method of reduction was MIPO in 48 and ORIF in 22. Principle of reduction was compression in 42, bridging in 18 and combined in 10 cases. The difference was significant ( p <0.05). The mean operative time (min) was 92.3, blood loss (ml) was 121.5, hospital stay (days) was 11.4, healing time (weeks) was 9.2 and time of recovery to work (days) was 11.4 days. Common complications were infection in 4, varus deformity in 2, knee instability in 1 and knee joint stiffness in 3 cases. The difference was significant ( p <0.05). Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation with LCP is an excellent technique for treatment of proximal tibia fractures.