Twisted Plating - A Method of Distal Fibula Fixation

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Traumatology
• Biomechanical Engineering

Background:

• Distal fibula fractures have multiple fixation methods, but no definitive consensus exists.
• Posterior buttress plating is an alternative fixation technique.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of using a twisted 3.5mm locking compression plate (LCP) as a posterior buttress for distal fibula fractures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 41 patients with Danis-Weber types B and C distal fibula fractures.
• Fixation was performed using a twisted and contoured 3.5mm LCP as a posterior buttress plate.
• Data collected included fracture healing, complications, and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores.

Main Results:

• All 41 fractures healed uneventfully within a mean of 10.4 weeks.
• No complications were reported.
• The mean AOFAS score was 92.6 at a mean follow-up of 31.5 months.

Conclusions:

• A twisted 3.5mm LCP serves as an effective posterior buttress plate for distal fibula fractures.
• This technique combines advantages of posterior antiglide plating and lateral LCP fixation.
• Excellent clinical and radiological outcomes were achieved.