Functional outcome of comminuted upper metaphyseal tibial fracture treated with circular external fixators

Authors

  • Parth Patel Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Harpreet Singh Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Kamal Kumar Agarwal Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Tilak Patel Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Krushna Saoji Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Dhruv Patel Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4510.IntJResOrthop20211620

Keywords:

JESS, Hybrid, Ilizarov, Tibial metaphysis

Abstract

Background: High speed motor vehicle accidents are on the rise over the past few years. These are responsible for most of the complex fractures of the tibial metaphysic. Proper treatment of these fractures is of paramount importance. The use of circular fixators for the definitive treatment of such fractures entails a minimally invasive technique of insertion that gives good fracture reduction and stability combined with minimal postoperative complications.

Methods: This study was prospective and conducted over 22 patients diagnosed with upper comminuted metaphyseal tibial fracture treated with circular external fixator.

Results: In this series, all 22 patients (100%) were male. Fourteen cases (64%) involved the left tibia and eight (36%) fractures were on right. The mean patient age was 49.5 years (range 26-75). Road traffic collisions accounted for most of the injuries (n=14), while fall from bike (n=8). In this study, using knee society score evaluation, excellent results (KSS>80) were seen in 8 patients (36.36%), good results (KSS 70-79) were seen in 10 patients (45.45%), fair (KSS 60-69) in 4 patient (18.18%) and poor (KSS< 60) in 0 patient (0%). Complication seen was pin tract infection in 2 patients (9.9%), which was managed by regular pin site dressings. Another complication was non-union in 1 patient (4.54%). No other complication was encountered.

Conclusions: Circular external fixation is a promising modality for surgical treatment of comminuted upper metaphyseal tibial fractures. It allows satisfactory realignment of the fractured fragments and their stabilization, besides early mobilization of the joints and care of associated soft tissue injuries, without significant complications.

Author Biographies

Parth Patel, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Resident Doctor

Department of Orthopaedics

Harpreet Singh, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Professor and Head of department

Department of Orthopaedics

Kamal Kumar Agarwal, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Assistant Professor

Department of Orthopaedics

Tilak Patel, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Resident Doctor

Department of Orthopaedics

Krushna Saoji, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Resident Doctor

Department of Orthopaedics

Dhruv Patel, Department of Orthopaedics, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Resident Doctor

Department of Orthopaedics

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Published

2021-04-26

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Original Research Articles