Locking Plate Fixators for Infected Extra-articular Long Bone Fractures without Bone Loss

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Management
• Infectious Disease

Background:

• Infected extra-articular long bone fractures without bone loss present significant treatment challenges.
• Traditional external fixators can lead to complications like discomfort and delayed healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of using metaphyseal locking plates as a definitive treatment for infected extra-articular tibial and femoral fractures without bone loss.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study of 15 patients with infected extra-articular tibial or femoral fractures without bone loss.
• Fixation was achieved using metaphyseal locking plates after thorough debridement.
• Patients received tailored antibiotics and were followed for fracture healing and functional outcomes.

Main Results:

• Union was achieved in most cases, with average times of 8 months for femur and 3.9 months for tibia.
• Functional outcomes were good to excellent in 73.2% of patients.
• Complications included screw tract infections in 6 patients and one refracture; no implant failure was observed.

Conclusions:

• Metaphyseal locking plate fixation is an effective definitive treatment for infected extra-articular fractures without bone loss.
• The technique offers stable fixation, manageable infection control, and promotes union with good patient compliance.
• Further research with larger cohorts is recommended to validate these findings.