[Results of surgical management in proximal partial tibia fractures]

Proximal partial articular tibia fractures represent a great challenge for orthopedic surgeons due to their symptoms and complex management.

To describe the results of surgical treatment of proximal articular fractures of the tibia.

Descriptive study conducted at a tertiary care hospital. We included patients with proximal partial articular tibia fracture (Müeller AO/ASIF 41-B), of both sexes, with a six-month postoperative follow-up and a complete clinical record. Postoperative assessment was conducted with the Orfaly & Keating scale. We used descriptive statistics with central trend and scatter measurements, Fischer test for the relative risk and logistic regression.

The total number of patients was 25. Mean age was 41.6 (16-81), SD was 17.03 years; 15 patients were males (60%) and 10 females (40%); 1 (4%) had type-2 diabetes mellitus; the left side was affected in 17 (68%) patients; all patients underwent surgery with osteosynthesis; there was 100% match between the preoperative and postoperative diagnoses (Kappa 1.0); patient course was appropriate in 76% and acceptable in 24% (Orfaly & Keating); 16% had angular valgus deformity and 12% had joint stiffness. Females with RR 1.33 (CI 0.869-2.045) had angular valgus deformity; those with RR 0.22 (CI 0.27-1.846) had joint stiffness, RR was 2.68 for hockey stick plate osteosynthesis, and RR was 1.088 (CI 95%, 0.7-3.1) for the unsatisfactory course according to the Orfaly & Keating scale.

A positive relative risk was found among females for angular valgus deformity, and in hockey stick plate osteosynthesis and minimal osteosynthesis for an unsatisfactory course, according to the Orfaly & Keating scale, six months after surgical treatment.