Treatment of Distal Lower Leg Fractures: Results with Fixed-Angle Plate Osteosynthesis

Twenty-five patients with closed distal tibial fractures were treated with a fixed-angle (locked) plate osteosynthesis. The study period was from 1.1.06 to 31.12.07. According to AO classification, there were three A1, eight A2, nine A3, one B2, two C1, and two C3 fractures. All patients had a follow up examination after an average of 16.6 months. Complications included a technical mistake (fixation in slight malangulation), two infections, and one non union that showed consolidation after 15 months. All other patients reached bone consolidation and full weight bearing after an average of 3.5 months. The ankle range of motion for all patients was, on average, flexion/extension 18°/35°, without restrictions on the walking distance. No loss of reduction occurred. Fixed-angle plate osteosynthesis is a good alternative to intramedullary nailing when treating closed distal lower leg fractures. It is a demanding surgical method with good clinical and functional results.