title: Minimally invasive percutaneous plate fixation of distal tibia fractures.
abstract: We report a series of 42 patients reviewed at a mean of 19.6 months after treatment of distal tibial and pilon fractures using the AO distal tibia locking plate with a minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) technique. Mean time to union was 22.4 weeks. All fractures united with acceptable alignment and angulation. Two cases of superficial infection were noted, with one case of deep infection. Mean SF36 score was 85 and mean AOFAS score was 90 at a mean of 19 months follow-up. We report satisfactory outcomes with the use of the AO distal tibia locking plate in treatment of unstable distal tibial fractures. Eighty-nine percent of the patients felt that they were back to their pre injury status and 95% back to their previous employment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating National Children Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland. syahbahari@gmail.com
authors.forename: Syah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bahari
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lenehan
authors.forename: Hamad
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McElwain
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome