Final Outcome and Complications among Patients of Proximal Tibial Fractures Treated with Open Reduction Internal Fixation with Locking Compression Plate

Abstract

Background: Present study was done to evaluate the Final outcome and complications among patients of proximal tibial fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation with locking compression plate. Material and Methods: The study was conducted during 1st August 2019 to 31st October 2020 in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla that included 21 prospective and 4 retrospective cases who fulfilled the inclusion criteria with closed tibial plateau fracture. Final outcomes were obtained after combining functional and radiological outcomes. Results: All the patients were above 18 years of age; 60% of patients were between 31 to 60 years with mean age of 42.5±14.4 years. There were 21 males and 4 females. The ratio between male to female patients was 5.3:1. Fifty six percent patients had excellent, 36% had good and 2% had fair functional outcome. Excellent radiological results were seen in 76%, good in 20% and fair in 4% patient. No patient had poor functional and radiological results. At the end of the study, we found that 92% of our patients had acceptable results which included excellent in 56% and good in 36%. While no patient had poor outcome, 8% patients reported a fair but non-acceptable final outcome. Final outcomes was dependent on age, activity level of the patients, type of fracture, associated injuries, other co-morbidities and compliance to physiotherapy presence or absence of complications, other co-morbidities and postoperative rehabilitation. Twenty percent patients had complications. Superficial infection (8%) and knee stiffness (8%) were the most common complications. Conclusion: Majority of patients of proximal tibial fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation with locking compression plate had excellent clinical and radiological results and had acceptable results. Superficial infection and knee stiffness were the most common complications.