Comparative Analysis of Functional Outcomes in Open vs. Minimally Invasive Fixation of Tibial Fractures

Background: Tibial fracture is among the commonest long bone injury and is highly morbid. Even though open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was a traditional method, minimally invasive plate osteo-synthesis (MIPO) is becoming more popular as a procedure has fewer soft tissue disruptions and improved biological recovery. This study was intended to compare the functional outcome of ORIF and MIPO in repairing tibial fractures. Methods: Random assignment was done to 120 tibial fracture patients in two groups of Group A (ORIF, n=60) and Group B (MIPO, n=60). Conditional demographic and clinical characteristics were observed. Functional recovery was measured using union time, the range of motion (ROM) and complication rates. The data were analyzed using independent t -tests and chi -square tests, and p = 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The characteristics such as age and gender distribution did not differ between groups at baseline (p > 0.05). MIPO patients had reduced mean union time (18.6 ±3.2 weeks vs. 21.4±3.7 weeks, p = 0.01) and higher knee and ankle ROM at the end of follow-ups (p = 0.03). There were 4 (6.7%) patients infected in the MIPO group versus 9 (15.0%) in the ORIF group, and delayed union was seen in 3 (5.0%) in the MIPO group versus 8 (13.3%) in the ORIF group both significantly lower. The MIPO-treated patients had higher functional outcome scores in a consistent manner. Conclusion: MIPO is linked to better healing, better joint mobility and few complications in relation to ORIF in tibial fractures.