Abstract


Background: Proximal tibial fractures with compromised soft tissue envelop may lead to significant complications .The optimal management of these injuries remains controversial .
The aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of external fixation using the external fixation plate in proximal fractures of the tibia.
Patients and Methods : We prospectively evaluated 50 patients, with a mean age of 34.9 years ,who presented with proximal tibial fractures .According to the (AO/OTA) classification, type41-A2 in 35 cases and type 41-A3 in 15 cases.
The state of the soft tissue were classified according to Tscherne classification : (O 1 in 10 cases , O 2 in 20 cases . C 0 in 5 cases and C 1 in 15 cases).
The external fixation plate was used to fix these fractures.Which was placed on the tibia as an external fixator. The mean follow up was 9.2 months .
Results : All fractures healed in a mean time of 27.9 weeks. There were no cases of deep infection, nonunion and loosening of the plates and screws. According to the modified Ramussen Criteria knee scoring system the mean score was 26.2 and (AOFAS) ankle scoring system , the mean score was 96.2.
Conclusion : For proximal fractures of the tibia, external fixation using the external fixation plate is a safe and reliable technique with minimal
complications and excellent outcomes.Its advantages include ease of performing surgery and ease of removing plate after fracture healing. Keywords: Locked plate,external fixator, tibia
.