Functional outcome after blade plate reconstruction of distal tibia metaphyseal nonunions: a study of 11 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To present the functional outcome of a cohort of 11 patients prospectively followed before and after blade plate reconstruction of a distal tibia metaphyseal nonunion.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
University hospital tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Eleven patients with an average age of 48 years. Average duration of nonunion was 11 months. Patients had undergone an average of 3.1 procedures before the index surgery. Three patients had prior deep infections, and one patient had an active infection.


METHODS
A precontoured 4.5-mm cannulated blade plate was applied to the medial tibial surface through a posteromedial approach. Autograft was added in eight patients to fill bone voids.


METHODS
AOFAS scores were assigned to each patient preoperatively and at most recent follow-up.


RESULTS
All patients healed their nonunions after the index surgery. Average time to radiographic union was 16 weeks. Average time to full weight bearing was 12 weeks. AOFAS scores improved in all patients from an average preoperative score of 29 to an average postoperative score of 89. The only complication was a deep infection, which was treated successfully with one irrigation and débridement and 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics.


CONCLUSIONS
Blade plate reconstruction of distal tibia metaphyseal nonunion is a safe and reliable method that results in a high union and low complication rate.
Reed
Lori K
LK
Department of Orthopedics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-1080, USA.
Mormino
Matthew A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome