Study of functional and radiological outcome of percutaneous bridge plating of extra articular fibula fracture for management of distal tibia type III open fracture

Background: Fractures of the distal tibia account for 7 to 9% of lower extremity fractures, with the fibula fractured in about 85% of these cases. Management of fibula fracture in the distal third fracture setting is essential as it facilitates the reduction of tibia fracture. The management of distal third tibia and fibula fracture vary from intramedullary nail in the tibia fracture and plating for the fibula fracture to dual plating with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) in the Tibia and fibula and depending on local tissue condition. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of percutaneous bridge plating of fibula fracture in the setting of concomitant open type III distal tibia fracture. Methods: A prospective clinical study of patients with distal tibia type III open fractures with extra-articular fibula fractures at the department of orthopaedics, SMS medical college, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India from June 2023 to May 2024 were subjected to percutaneous bridge plating for the fibula with appropriate management for the tibia fracture, Outcomes assessed using the lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), proportional length difference, talocrural angle, and fracture healing. Complications post-surgery was also evaluated. Results: Studies have shown that appropriate fixation of the fibula aids in the reduction and stabilization of tibial fractures, improving overall outcomes. The use of percutaneous bridge plating offers benefits in terms of soft tissue preservation and mechanical stability. Conclusions: The treatment chosen and the outcomes after a fracture seem to be satisfactory. Further studies and detailed analyses are required to establish long-term benefits and compare with other fixation methods.