• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.174-181
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• 2013

Distal tibia fractures were mainly caused by high energy trauma and the lower legs were enveloped in poor soft tissue. Therefore, there are many open fractures and concomitant soft tissue injuries in distal tibia fractures. For the restoration of ankle function, the surgical treatment was performed in distal tibia fractures. However, it is difficult to treat the distal tibia fracture surgically. There are many complications in distal tibia fracture due to highly comminuted fracture and poor soft tissue condition. There are many surgical methods for distal tibia fractures, such as, external fixator, intramedulary nailling, open reduction & internal fixation, and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis. We reviewed the surgical treatments of distal tibia fractures.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.136-142
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• 2013

Purpose: To analyze the outcome of distal tibia fracture treated with the Distal Tibia LCP with combination of interfragmentary screw. Materials and Methods: Between January 2008 and March 2012, data of 34 patients with fracture of distal tibia treated with the Distal Tibia LCP with or without combination of interfragmentary screws were reviewed. There were 17 males and 17 females with an average age of 51.8 years (range, 18~77 years). Radiographic union time and time from surgery until ability to full weight bearing were measured and compared. Callus index was measured as quotient of callus thickness and diameter of corticalis both in AP and sagittal direction. Results: 12 fractures were treated with interfragmentary screws and 22 fractures were treated with bridging plate alone. In interfragmentary fixation group, time to full weight bearing was 14 weeks versus 15.75 weeks without screw. Callus index at bearing was not significantly lesser in patients with screw compated with those without, but callus index difference at posterative 4weeks was sigficant. Radiologic union time was 11.3 weeks in interfragmentary fixation group and 12.58 weeks without screw. Conclusion: The osteosynthesis with the Distal tibia LCP with combination of interfragmentary screw seems to be more stable in postoperative 4weeks than Distal tibia LCP alone, expecting to earlier ROM exercise and rehabilitation.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.86-92
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and prognostic factors of intramedullary nailing of distal tibia fractures in terms of function and symptoms of the ankle joint. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 22 distal tibial fractures with intramedullary nailing. The mean duration of follow-up was 43 months. We reviewed medical records to describe each case. We measured radiographic parameters such as fracture configuration, arthritic change of the ankle joint and status of reduction. We also assessed clinical results by AOFAS ankle hind foot scoring system, degree of pain by VAS and range of motion to find out prognostic factors for functional result of the ankle joint. Results: Bone healing was obtained in all cases without any wound complications. Mean AOFAS ankle score was 94. There were 4 cases with mild (VAS<3/10) ankle pain and 2 cases with mild limitation of ankle motion. The comminution of fracture had a significant relationship with delayed angular deformity of ankle joint (p=0.032). There was no other significant parameter affecting ankle joint function except the location of nail-end. Conclusion: Intramedullary nailing in distal tibia fracture is a safe and effective procedure. But further study may need to evaluate the relationship between the position of nail-end and the function of ankle joint.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.86-90
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• 2015

Purpose: We analyzed and compared the clinical and radiologic results between minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and internal fixation using intramedullary (IM) nail in the treatment of distal tibia fractures. Materials and Methods: From March 2005 to June 2013, 65 cases of distal tibia fractures treated with either plate fixation or IM nail fixation were analyzed retrospectively by clinical and radiologic evaluations. The clinical results were compared using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Olerud-Molander ankle score (OMAS), and visual analogue scale (VAS) score at the last follow-up. The radiologic results were compared by time to bone union, complications such as nonunion, delayed union, and malunion. Results: The clinical results (according to OMAS, AOFAS score, and VAS score) were 77.47, 84.76, and 1.75, respectively, in the plating group, and 90.21, 91.00, and 1.25, respectively, in the nailing group, and there was no statistically significant difference. Plating group showed earlier union than the nailing group and the nailing group showed higher frequency of non-union and delayed union than plating group. Conclusion: In treatment of distal tibia fractures, two methods showed appropriate results. Therefore, thorough investigation of the types of fracture, state of soft tissues, and advantages and disadvantages of the two methods should be conducted in the treatment of distal tibia fractures.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.95-99
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic outcomes of distal fibular fractures and to analyze the risk factors associated with nonunion. Materials and Methods: Between January 2009 and March 2016, 13 patients who had final nonunion with ankle fracture were included. In the control group, 370 patients who had undergone bony union and removed metal implants were included. All patients underwent the same surgical procedure and had the same treatment method, ultimately achieving satisfactory open reduction results with less than 2 mm fracture gap. Surgical treatment of fracture was considered to have the same effect on nonunion, and factors that might be associated with nonunion were evaluated. SPSS ver. 13.0 (SPSS Inc., USA) was used for all statistical analyses. Pearson's chi-square test and multi-variate regression analysis were performed to determine the factors affecting nonunion of distal fibular fracture. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and relative risk was assessed. Results: The mean age of 13 patients was 46.9 years (range, 16~57 years); there were 8 men and 5 women. Among the 13 patients with nonunion, atrophic was the most common (12 cases). The association between the injury mechanism and the Lauge-Hansen classification and diabetes mellitus was not statistically significant. Distal fibular fractures with tibia shaft fracture (p=0.015) and Danis-Weber type C fracture (p=0.023), open fracture (p=0.011), and smoking (p=0.023) were significantly associated with nonunion. Conclusion: In this study, the combined injury of the ipsilateral tibia shaft fracture, open fracture, and Danis-Weber type C fracture may increase the possibility of nonunion. Therefore, caution is advised to prevent nonunion.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.523-528
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• 2023

The Gustilo IIIB tibiofibular fractures often result in long bone loss and extensive soft tissue defects. Reconstruction of these complex wounds is very challenging, especially when it includes long bone grafts, because the donor site is limited. We describe our experience using a set of chimeric ipsilateral vascularized fibula grafts with a thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap to reconstruct the traumatic tibia defects. A 66-year-old male suffered a severe comminuted tibia fracture and segmented fibula fracture with large soft tissue defects as a result of a traffic accident. He also had an open calcaneal fracture with soft tissue defects on the ipsilateral side. All the main vessels of the lower extremity were intact, and the cortical bone defect of the tibia was almost as large as the fractured fibula segment. We used an ipsilateral vascularized fibula graft to reconstruct the tibia and a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap to resurface the soft tissue, using the distal ends of peroneal vessels as named into sequential chimeric flaps. After 3 weeks, the calcaneal defect was reconstructed with second thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap. Reconstruction was successful and allowed rapid rehabilitation because of reduced donor site morbidity.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.162-168
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency of the minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) with locking compression plate (LCP) for distal tibial metaphyseal intra-articular fracture compared with extra-articular fracture. Materials and Methods: From February 2006 to June 2008, 21 patients with distal tibia metaphyseal intra-articular fracture and 20 patients with extra-articular fracture were treated operatively by MIPPO technique with LCP and followed for at least one year. In the group with intra-articular fracture, mean age was 48.85 years old and a mean follow-up was 15 months. In the other group with extra-articular fracture, mean age was 52.35 years old and a mean follow-up was 14.5 months. The type of fracture was evaluated using the AO/OTA classification and open-fractures were according to the Gustilo-And gron classification. Radiologic evaluation with fracture healing and tibial alignment, clinical evaluation with Olerud and Molander ankle score and restriction of motion were done for treatment. Results: According to AO/OTA classification, There were 21 type A, 15 type B, 5 type C. Average union time of the intra-articular fracture (type B, C) was 18.7 weeks. Average union time of the extra-articular fracture (type A) was 17.1 weeks. All fractures were healed without malunion. There were no difference of mean restriction angle between intra-articular fracture (ankle dorsiflexion was 3.57 degree, plantar-flexion was 5.95 degree) and extra-articular fracture (ankle dorsiflexion was 3 degree, plantar-flexion was 3.75 degree). There were no difference of Olerud and Molander ankle score between them as a mean score of intra-articular and extra-articular was 89.25, 91.25 each other. As a complication, there were 3 case of skin necrosis, 8 case of discomfortable skin tenting by plate and 1 superficial infection, but could be healed by conservative care. Conclusion: MIPPO technique, combined articular reduction, with LCP of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture was a good method with high functional recovery.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.166-170
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• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the results of MIPPO (minimal invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis) technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study of 13 patients who were treated by MIPPO technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures from Jan. 2001 to Jan. 2003. The average age was 46.7 years and mean follow-up period was 13.3 months. According to AO classification, there were 8 cases of A1, 3 cases of A2, 1 case of B1 and 1 case of C2. One case of A1 was a Gustilo-Anderson type I open fracture and fibular fractures were combined in 12 cases. We applied anatomical reduction and internal fixation for the fibular fractures and internal fixation on the medial side of the tibia by MIPPO technique for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Clinical results were evaluated using radiographic results, Neer score, the starting time of postoperative exercise and clinical complications. Results: According to the Neer score, all cases showed satisfactory results. Active ankle ROM was started at average 2.4 weeks ($2{\sim}4$ weeks) and full weight bearing ambulation at average 5.2 weeks ($4{\sim}8$ weeks) postoperatively. Union of fractures was obtained by average 14.4 weeks ($8{\sim}18$ weeks) postoperatively. Two cases showed $5^{\circ}$ limitation of motion without functional deficits and other cases showed satisfactory ROM results. One case had $6^{\circ}$ valgus deformity without functional deficits. There were not any other complications like soft tissue problems and delayed-or non-union. Conclusion: MIPPO technique for the treatment of distal tibial metaphyseal fractures is a feasible technique with a good clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.80-85
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the outcome between interlocking IM nailing and LCP fixation in the treatment of distal metaphyseal tibial fracture. Materials and Methods: From January 2000 to December 2007, 17 patient were treated by interlocking IM nail and 13 patient were treated by LCP fixation for distal metaphyseal tibial fracture. Results: According to AO classification, there were 2 type A1 fracture (12%), 6 type A2 fracture (36%), 3 type A3 fracture (18%), 4 type B1 fracture (24%), 1 type B3 fracture (6%), 1 type C1 fracture (6%) in interlocking IM nailing group and 1 type A2 fracture (7.7%), 2 type A3 fracture (15.4%), 3 type B1 fracture (23%), 3 type B2 fracture (23%), 3 type C1 fracture (23%), 1 type C2 fracture (7.7%) in LCP fixation group. The clinical functional outcome (according to AOFAS score) is 75.6 point in IM nailing group and 81.5 point in LCP fixation group. In IM nailing group, 65% of patient showed satisfactory result and In LCP fixation group, 77% of patient showed satisfactory result. Conclusion: There is no difference on clinical results between IM nailing and MIPPO (minimal invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis) group in the treatment of distal tibia fracture. But MIPPO group have higher subjective satisfactory score and less complication rate. The weakness of our study is a small case number and limited follow-up and we believe a better designed prospective study will be needed.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.94-100
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical features of distal tibia fractures and to evaluate the treatment outcomes of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO). Materials and Methods: From January 2004 to December 2009, 84 cases of 81 patients treated with plate fixation for distal tibia fracture were enrolled in this retrospective review. We investigated age, sex, injury mechanism, fracture patterns, and complications, and the clinical features were analyzed. To evaluate the treatment outcomes of MIPO, we divided into two groups. MIPO group consisted of 55 patients were treated with MIPO technique and conventional group consisted of 18 patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with conventional anterolateral plating. The results were compared between two groups by assessing bony union time, operation time, amount of blood loss, range of ankle motion, clinical score by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and post-operative complications. Results: The mean age of 81 patients with distal tibia fracture was 54.8 years. According to AO classification, A1:2:3 were 16, 20, 16 patients, B1:2:3 were 2, 8, 7, C1:2:3 were 1, 3, 11 patients. According to injury mechanism, slip down injury was patients, traffic accident was 26, fall from height injury was 14 patients respectively. The type A fractures were lower energy trauma and more older patients. The type C fractures were higher energy trauma and younger patients. MIPO group was better than conventional group in operative time, blood loss, bony union time, and ankle joint motion. In complications, MIPO group showed no nonunion and infection, one malunion, one skin necrosis, nine skin irritations, and one screw breakage. Conventional group showed two nonunion, four infections, two skin necrosis, and one metal failure. Conclusion: Distal tibial fractures caused by low energy trauma were on the increase. Minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis was shorter bony union time and operation time, less blood loss, and larger ankle motions than conventional open reduction and plate fixation.