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Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

Published in:

01-03-2009 | Original Article

Fractures of the Distal Tibia Treated with Polyaxial Locking Plating

Authors: Hong Gao, MD, Chang-Qing Zhang, MD, PhD, Cong-Feng Luo, MD, PhD, Zu-Bin Zhou, MD, Bing-Fang Zeng, MD

Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® | Issue 3/2009

Abstract

We evaluated the healing rate, complications, and functional outcomes in 32 adult patients with very short metaphyseal fragments in fractures of the distal tibia treated with a polyaxial locking system. The average distance from the distal extent of the fracture to the tibial plafond was 11 mm. All fractures healed and the average time to union was 14 weeks. Six patients (19%) reported occasional local disturbance over the medial malleolus. There were two cases of postoperative superficial infections and evidence of delayed wound healing. Using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle score, the average functional score was 87.3 points (of 100 total possible points). Our results show the polyaxial locking plates, which offer more fixation versatility, may be a reasonable treatment option for distal tibia fractures with very short metaphyseal segments.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Title: Fractures of the Distal Tibia Treated with Polyaxial Locking Plating
Authors: Hong Gao, MD
Chang-Qing Zhang, MD, PhD
Cong-Feng Luo, MD, PhD
Zu-Bin Zhou, MD
Bing-Fang Zeng, MD
Publication date: 01-03-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 0009-921X
Electronic ISSN: 1528-1132
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0459-1

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Fractures of the Distal Tibia Treated with Polyaxial Locking Plating

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