Comparative Study of Fracture Outcome by Dynamic Compression Plating and Locking Compression Plating in Distal Tibial Fracture

Abstract Introduction  Distal tibia fracture with or without fracture of fibula is very commonly encountered in young adults. The treatment protocol is mainly surgical with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with plate and screw—contoured dynamic compression plating (DCP) or precontoured locking compression plating (LCP). In spite of advanced surgery, the outcome is not satisfactory with complications arising in 20 to 50% of patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome and compare the two different modalities. Materials and Methods  The study includes 30 patients having distal tibial metaphyseal fracture without articular involvement treated with ORIF with plate and screw, contoured intraoperatively DCP and precontoured LCP in the Department of Orthopaedics. Patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months. Results were analyzed clinically (pain, alignment, range of motion, and complication) and radiologically. The patients were assessed according to time of full weight bearing, time of union of fracture, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Foot Functionality Index score. Results  The time of full weight bearing and time of union were found to be statistically significant in DCP and LCP. According to the grading of AOFAS score, in DCP, excellent: 3 cases (20%), good: 6 cases (40%), and fair: 6 cases (40%). In LCP, excellent 3 cases (20%), good 8 cases (53.33%), fair 4 cases (26.66%) were observed. Conclusion  LCP offers stability with early weight bearing and quicker fracture healing. But both groups had the same score at the final follow-up.

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