Abstract
Purpose
To report the results of patients treated by minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for proximal tibial shaft fractures.
Materials and Methods
From September 2003 to June 2008, thirty-two patients with proximal tibial shaft fractures weretreated by MIPO. There were 22 men and 10 women and mean age was 43.8 years (range; 21~72 years). Follow-up was available for all patients and the mean follow-up period was 19.5 months (range; 12~40 months). Duration of union, range of knee motion and postoperative complications were evaluated.
Results
Twenty-nine patients (90.6%) healed after the MIPO technique. The mean duration of radiographic union was 18.3 weeks (range; 10~28 weeks). The mean range of knee motion was 134 degrees at the last follow-up. There were 1 non-union, 2 delayed unions, 1 superficial infection, 1 deep infection, 2 malunions with more than 5 degrees of malalignment and 14 cases of skin irritation by plate.
Figures and Tables
![]() | Fig. 1
(A, B) A 68-year old man with severe communited proximal tibial fracture.
(C, D) The fracture was healed 20 weeks after surgery.
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![]() | Fig. 2
(A, B, C) A 69-year-old man with severe communited, open proximal tibial fracture by traffic acident.
(D) Clinical photograph after application of external fixator.
(E) Follow-up radiograph after 16 weeks shows metal failure.
(F, G) The dual plating was performed after removal of internal devices.
(H, I) Bone union with satisfactory functional results was achieved at 6 months after second operation.
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