Evaluation of functional outcome of distal tibial fractures managed with locking compression plate using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) technique

Background: Treatment of distal tibial fracture is challenging, because of precarious blood supply leading to poor healing. Various modality of surgical treatment such as closed intramedullary nailing, Open Reduction and internal fixation with conventional plate osteosynthesis and external fixation has been tried so far. But this modalities doesnot give better functional outcome and had high complication rate. The newer technique of distal tibia fractures fixation using MIPPO (minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis), involves less soft tissue handling and minimal periosteal stripping resulting in low infection rate and faster healing. Aim of the Study: To evaluate clinical, functional and radiological outcomes after minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis using distal tibial locking compression plates. Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 patients with distal third tibial extra articular Metaphyseo diaphyseal fractures with or without associated fibula fractures were treated with MIPPO. The present prospective study was conducted in the department of Orthopaedics at Tripura Medical College, between August 2020 to July 2021. Results: All fractures had a good clinical and radiological union. The fractures were stabilized with MIPPO, at an average of 6.27 days posttrauma, with an average operative time of 66.25 minutes. Functional outcome evaluation was done using Olerud-Molander ankle score, at the end of 1 year. Average radiological union time of 17.6 weeks and there were one delayed union and one nonunion. None of the cases had implant failure or any significant deformity with good to excellent results in 86.66% cases. Conclusion: It is concluded that locking plate fixation by minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis technique (MIPPO), is the most effective procedure for closed extra-atricular distal tibial Dia-metaphyseal fractures.