title: [Percutaneous locking plate combined with Sizhi-Xifang for treatment of the distal tibial fracture].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the clinical effect of Sizhi-Xifang in the improvement of postoperative ankle function.
  
  
  METHODS
  From Jan. 2006 to Mar. 2008,49 patients were divided randomly into treatment group and control group. The treatment group included 16 males and 8 females with an average age of (41.3 +/- 13.2) years, involving 13 cases of tye A, 9 of type B and 2 of type C based on AO classification. The control group included 15 males and 10 females with an average age of (38.2 +/- 10.9) years, involving 12 cases of type A, 10 of type B, 3 of type C. Minimal invasive percutaneous plate were used in each group. In treatment group 24 cases were treated with Sizhi-Xifang after the incisions were healed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no incision infections, flaps necrosis, bone and plate exposure after treatment in two groups. All patients were followed-up for 4 to 16 months with an average of 8.6 months. According to Johner-Wruhs evaluation standard, there were 7 cases in excellent, 12 good, 5 in fair in treatment group and in control group there were 5 cases in excellent, 7 in good, 10 in fair and 3 in poor. The comparison of effect between two groups had significant difference (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sizhi-Xifang is helpful to improve the ankle postoperative function.
authors.forename: Yong-Fa
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Xi-Bo
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wu-Bin
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012867:Skin; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult