Comparison of Functional Outcome of Locking Plate versus External Fixation in Management of Comminuted Intra Articular Fracture of Proximal Tibia: Locking Plate versus External Fixator

Syed Usman Shah; Abdul Munaf Saud; Muhammad Rashid; Abdul Rasheed Napar; Osama Bin Zia; Syed Abdur Rub Abidi

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v6i4.2958

Authors

Syed Usman Shah Department of Orthopaedics, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Medical Teaching Institution, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Abdul Munaf Saud Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Muhammad Rashid Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal, Pakistan
Abdul Rasheed Napar Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Khairpur Medical College, Khairpur Mirs, Pakistan
Osama Bin Zia Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry, Dar Ul Sehat Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Syed Abdur Rub Abidi Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v6i4.2958

Keywords:

Proximal Tibia Fracture, Locking Plate Outcomes, External Fixation Comparison, Functional Knee Recovery

Abstract

The surgical management of Schatzker type V or VI tibial plateau fractures can be challenging, and complications may include compartment syndrome, soft-tissue and ligament damage, and neurovascular injury. A successful course of treatment necessitates articular cartilage regeneration, biological integrity preservation, mechanical axis realignment, joint stabilization, and mobility preservation. Objective: To compare the outcomes of locking plate vs. external fixation in management of comminuted intra articular fracture of proximal tibia. Methods: In this quasi experimental study 82 patients of proximal tibia fracture were presented. Patients were admitted to orthopedic department and were included after getting informed written consent. Two groups were created, in group I 41 patients received locking plate and 41 patients of group II received external fixation. Outcomes among both groups were compared after treatment. SPSS version 23.0 was used to analyze all data. Results: There were majority males in both groups. Patients of group I had mean age of 36.13 ± 10.63 years and in group II mean age was 34.8 ± 7.49 years. Postoperative functional outcome was significantly better in group I as compared to group II with p value <0.05. As per Rasmussen’s clinical functional knee score, group I had higher score 23.61 ± 6.154 as compared to group II 21.45 ± 6.187 with p value <0.03. Post-operative frequency of infection was lower in group I as compared to group II with p value <0.02. Conclusion: It was concluded that in this study that internal locking plate showed better outcomes in terms of functional results while had higher blood loss and longer operative time as compared to external fixation.

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