Abstract:

Aim: In this study we aimed to analyze the relationships between patient and treatment related factors and healing time, alignment, LEFS score by evaluating the results of patients who were treated with MIPO for extra-articular tibial fractures. Material and Method: Thirty-three patients with extra-articular tibial fractures that were treated with MIPO between October 2010-April 2014 in our clinic were included in the study. Patient-related factors and surgical technique details were compared with functional, clinical and radiological results. Results: Mean age of 33 patients was 46.1 (20-70). 12.1% of fractures was proximal, 33.3% was diaphyseal, 54.5% was distal; 4 (12.1%) of them were type 1 open, 4 (12.1%) were type 2 open, remaining 25 (75.8%) were closed fractures. All fractures were healed an average of 21.2 weeks. Comminuted fractures which are the result of direct trauma frequently healed later. Also fractures of six patients with complications healed within longer union times. There were 3 (9.1%) patients with more than 5 degrees of malignity at the beginning and 4 (12.1%) at 12th month. Patients' functional status which were evaluated with LEFS score showed a decrease at an average but this much is clinically not significant. Plate span ratio was not correlated with union time, malalignment and change in LEFS score. MIPO method allows rapid functional healing especially in comminuted fractures and metaphysical region fractures with relative stability and advantages of biologically healing. With torsional and angular stability, MIPO is a good treatment option in simple fractures of the diaphyseal region. This study we aimed to analyze the relationships between patient factors, treatment factors and healing time, alignment, LEFS score by evaluating the results of patients who were treated with MIPO for extra-articular tibial fractures. Material and Method: In our study pre-operative patient factors and functional scores of 33 patients whose extra-articular tibial fractures were treated with MIPO between October 2010-April 2014 and intra-operative surgical technique factors were checked against functional, clinical and radiological results. The results were statistically compared. Results: Mean age of 33 patients was 46.1 (20-70). 12.1% of fracture was proximal, 33. 3% was diaphyseal, 54.5% was distal tibial fracture; 4 (12.1%) of them were type 1 open, 4 (12.1%) were type 2 open, other 25 (75.8%) were closed fractures. All fractures healed within an average of 21.2 weeks union time. Comminuted fractures which occur with direct trauma more frequently healed within longer union times. Fractures of six patients with complication healed within longer union times. There were 3 (9.1%) patients with more than 5 degrees of malignity at the beginning and 4 (12.1%) at 12th month. Patients' functional status were evaluated with LEFS score and 4.72 point drop in average is clinically not important. Plate span ratio is not related with union time, alignment and change in LEFS score. Conclusion: MIPO method allows rapid functional healing especially in comminuted fractures and metaphysical region fractures with relative stability and biologically union. MIPO is a good treatment option with torsional and angular stability in simple fractures of the diaphyseal region.

Keywords: