Plate nail constructs for complex proximal tibia fractures

Purpose

To report upon a series of patients who underwent a combined minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and intramedullary nailing surgical approach for AO/OTA 41C2/3 +/− 42, 41B2/3 + 42 fracture types and highlight the surgical methodology for application.

Patients

15 patients were treated with combined plate and intramedullary nail constructs at an academic urban trauma center from 2018 to 2022. All patients had AO/OTA 41C2/3 +/− 42 or 41B2/3 + 42 fractures.

Intervention

The study intervention included retrospective review of patient charts and radiographs.

Main outcome measures

Outcome measures included coronal and sagittal alignment at latest follow-up, intra-operative subsidence of articular fragments, reoperation, and complications such as infection, compartment syndrome, screw migration, or component failure.

Results

The average follow-up for patients included was 6.2 months. At final follow-up, 13 patients had available post-operative assessments for review. At latest follow-up, the average coronal alignment ranged from 3.1 degrees of varus to 2.3 degrees of valgus, average sagittal alignment from 2.6 degrees of recurvatum to 2.0 degrees of procurvatum. There was no evidence of intra-operative or post-operative radiographic subsidence of the plateau. No patients underwent reoperation. There was one case of superficial infection and one case of proximal screw loosening.

Discussion

Plate and nail constructs are a practical option for complex intra-articular fractures of the proximal tibia with metaphyseal or diaphyseal extension (AO/OTA 41C2/3 +/− 42, 41B2/3 + 42). This series demonstrates acceptable radiographic alignment and good clinical results associated with these fracture patterns, with short-to-medium-term follow-up and an overall low complication rate.