This study undertaken to evaluate the clinical results between the fixation of both bones and the fixation of the only tibia for extra-articular distal tibial and fibular fracture, and to know if the fixation of both bones could be needed.

In a retrospective study from 1994 to 1999, thirty-seven patients who underwent internal fixation with plate and screws for both bones (Group I : 17 cases) and only tibia (Group II : 20 cases) for extra-articular distal 1/3 tibial and distal 1/4 fibular fractures, which were above distal tibio-fibular syndesmosis, were evaluated the period of union, range of motion and operative time.

The union period of tibia was 124 days (Group I) and 126 days (Group II) and the cases of full ROM were 16 / 17 cases (94.1%) in Group I and 18 / 20 cases (90.0%) in Group II. The mean score was 94.6 points in Group I and 91.3 points in Group II by Baird scoring system (P>0.05), and the operative time was 147 minutes (Group I) and 106 minutes (Group II) (P<0.05).

The clinical results in extra-articular distal tibial and fibular fractures, which were distal 1/4 and above distal tibio-fibular syndemosis, treated with internal fixation of the only tibia were as good as internal fixation of both bones. We thought that there is no need to fix distal fibular fracture in these cases.