Clinical and Functional Outcome of Distal Tibial Fractures Treated with Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Plate Osteosynthesis Technique using Anatomical Distal Tibial Plate: A Case Series
Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Distal tibial fractures are difficult to manage due to their complex anatomy, subcutaneous location, and poor vascularity. Conventional open plating often causes soft tissue complications, while intramedullary nailing and external fixation have limitations in alignment and infection control. Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) with anatomical distal tibial plates preserves periosteal blood supply and provides stable fixation. This study aimed to evaluate clinical and functional outcomes of distal tibial fractures treated by MIPPO. Materials and Methods: A prospective case series was conducted at a tertiary care center from January 2022 to June 2024. Thirty-six patients were treated using MIPPO; 23 with a minimum of 12 months’ follow-up were included. AO type 43-A2, 43-A3, and 43-C3 fractures and Gustilo-Anderson Grade I open fractures were included. Functional recovery was assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure. Radiological union time and complications were also analyzed. Results: The mean patient age was 47.5 years; 65% of injuries were from road traffic accidents. The mean radiological union time was 11.4 weeks (range 5–17). Mean AOFAS scores improved from 39.6 preoperatively to 82.9 at 6 months and 87.7 at 12 months (P < 0.0001), with 90% achieving good-to-excellent outcomes. Complications included delayed union in three cases (13%),…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- Tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study
- A new aging measure captures morbidity and mortality risk across diverse subpopulations from NHANES IV: A cohort study
- Fruit, vegetable, and legume intake, and cardiovascular disease and deaths in 18 countries (PURE): a prospective cohort study
- Are noise and air pollution related to the incidence of dementia? A cohort study in London, England
- Long COVID symptoms and duration in SARS-CoV-2 positive children — a nationwide cohort study
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.