COMPARATIVE OUTCOMES OF ILIZAROV EXTERNAL FIXATION VERSUS DUAL PLATING IN COMPLEX TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES This study aimed to compare radiological union, functional outcomes, and complication rates between Ilizarov external fixation and dual plating in patients with complex tibial plateau fractures. METHODOLOGY This prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Sixty patients aged 20-70 years with isolated closed Schatzker type V or VI tibial plateau fractures were enrolled using non-probability purposive sampling and allocated into two groups: Ilizarov fixation (n=30) and dual plating (n=30). Functional outcomes were assessed using the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and radiological union was evaluated on biplanar radiographs and classified according to the Hammer criteria. Complications, including infection, were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, with chi-square and independent t-tests applied; p-values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS The dual plating group demonstrated significantly higher Lysholm scores compared to the Ilizarov group (86.0 ± 8.44 vs 54.26 ± 8.73; p < 0.001). Radiological union was achieved more frequently in the dual plating group (96.7%) than in the Ilizarov group (73.3%) (p=0.01). Infection rates were significantly higher in the Ilizarov group (20.0% vs 3.3%; p=0.044). Functional outcome categories also favored dual plating (p=0.037).