Comparative Prospective Study: Treatment of Distal Third Tibial Fracture through Medial and Lateral Compression Plate Methods

The most frequent fracture of a long bone is a tibial fracture. Anatomical reduction and rigid fixing may arise from open reduction and plating. To assess and contrast the outcomes of medial and lateral locking compression plates for fractures in the distal part of the tibia. 32 patients with distal tibial fractures were enrolled in the prospective clinical study from November 22, 2019, to November 12, 2020, at Nangarhar University and Public Health Hospital. With a mean age of 34.57 years, 26 closed fractures, and 6 open fractures. Based on the manner of therapy, 32 patients were split into two groups, with the medial plating group (16) included (16 patients) and the lateral plating group. After being released, they were monitored for at least 5 months. The clinical assessment criteria developed by Tinny and Wiss were used to evaluate the functional outcomes. Malunion arose in two cases of the medial plating group and two cases of the lateral plating group as a result.4 cases of superficial and 2 cases of deep infections, 1 nonunion, and 2 wound dehiscence were found in the medial plating group. There were two cases of superficial and one case of deep infection as well as two nonunion in the group3 cases that were classified as excellent-1, good-7, fair-8, and poor. In the lateral plating group, the scores were Excellent 2, good 6, fair 7, and poor 1 respectively. Ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion ultimate ranges of motion in the medial plating group were 18.2° and 29.5°, respectively. The end range of motion for the lateral plating group was 20° for ankle dorsiflexion and 33.2° for ankle plantar flexion. Finally, it is safe and practical to plat the distal tibia laterally, which can provide biological fixation and avoid soft tissue complications.