unio‎n Following Biological and Rigid Fixations of Distal Tibia Extra-articular Fractures

Background: Distal tibia fractures are among the most common bony injuries, with a significant rate of nonunio‎n and delayed unio‎n. There are multiple methods for the management of distal tibia fractures. Among the plating methods, there are bridge plating and compression plating techniques. There is still a lack of evidence about whether one method has a higher rate of unio‎n than the other. The present study aimed to assess the unio‎n rate of extra-articular distal tibia fractures using biological fixation with bridge plating and rigid fixation with compression plating. Methods: This retrospective analysis was performed on 41 adult patients with distal tibia fractures. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the fixation method, namely bridge plating and compression plating. Baseline characteristics, fracture characteristics, and unio‎n status were analyzed and compared in this study. Results: Baseline and fracture characteristics were similar between the groups. Only higher translation in any planes was noted in the bridge plating group (2.80±3.04 mm; P<0.001). As for unio‎n status, the rates of the unio‎n during 3 months and delayed/no unio‎n were similar between the two groups (P=0.18). During a 6-month follow-up, 92% and 93.8% of the patients achieved unio‎n in the bridge plating and compression plating groups, respectively. Conclusion: Rates of delayed unio‎n and nonunio‎n are similar regarding extra-articular distal tibia fractures treated with either bridge plating or compression plating.