Distal tibia metaphyseal fractures treated by percutaneous plate osteosynthesis

Twenty-one patients with fractures of the distal tibial metaphysis, some with minimal displacement in the ankle, were treated by percutaneous plate osteosynthesis with a narrow limited contact-dynamic compression plate. Using the classification by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen and Orthopaedic Trauma Association, 17 fractures had no articular involvement, whereas four included intraarticular extension. At final followup (mean, 20 months), all the fractures healed without second procedures and the mean union time was 15.2 weeks. One patient had malalignment of the limb with 10 degrees internal rotation, but there were no angular deformities greater than 5 degrees or any shortening greater than 1 cm. All patients had excellent or satisfactory ankle function. There were no infections or any soft tissue compromise. Percutaneous plate osteosynthesis is a safe and worthwhile method of managing such fractures, which avoids some of the complications associated with conventional open plating methods.