Metaphyseal locking plate as an external fixator for open tibial fracture: Clinical outcomes and biomechanical assessment.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of using a metaphyseal locking plate as a definitive external fixator for treating open tibial fractures based on biomechanical experiments and analysis of clinical results.

Methods: A metaphyseal locking plate was used as an external fixator in 54 open tibial fractures in 52 patients. The mean follow-up was 38 months (range, 20-52 months).