Functional outcome of distal Tibial fractures managed by minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique

Introduction: Fracture of distal tibial is one of the common fractures seen in orthopedic practice following accidents. Because of long period of recumbency and associated socioeconomic burden imposed by these fractures, there have been constant efforts to develop methods of treatment which reduce period of hospitalization and recumbency. Objective: To assess the functional outcome of distal tibial fractures managed by minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique. Methods: This prospective study consisted of 20 cases of fractures of distal tibial admitted in the Department of Orthopaedics, Medical College for Women and Hospital, Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July to December 2022. The present study enrolled 20 patients with fracture of distal end tibial. A total of 20 patients with median age 38.04 years, age range 19 to 70, with distal tibial fracture were treated by using MIPO Procedure. The outcome was evaluated using American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hind foot score. Results: The majority of fractures in this study were extraarticular (65%), while 20% were partial articular fractures and 15% were complete articular fractures. Out of 20 patients, 5 patients had superficial infection and 1 patient had deep infection. Out of 20 cases, 4 cases had union by 16 weeks, 8 cases by 20 weeks, 6 cases had union by 30 weeks, and 2 cases had nonunion. According to AOFAS score at 6 months, 3 cases had score of 31 to 70 and 17 cases had score of 71 to 100. Conclusion: The results of our study corroborate with the contemporary literature relevant to distal tibial fracture fixation performed with various locking plates. Therefore, locking compression plate is a good device to stabilize the fracture of the distal tibial.