Background: Ankle fractures represents the third most frequent fracture in elderly patients. There is a current tendency to fix long bones fractures with locking plates. However, we rarely find published accounts about the use of locking plates in distal fibula fractures, except for biomechanical ones, studying human cadaveric fibula.

Objectives: The main objective was to compare radiographic bone union rates at 6 and 12 weeks of follow up, then wound complications and hardware removal rates, and construct cost.

Study Design & Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 105 patients who underwent surgery with locking plates or non-locking plates over a two-year period, out of which 42 patients were treated with non-locking plates (VIVES™ - Stryker) and 63 with locking plates (VariAx™ - Stryker,). We analyzed bone union on anterior posterior and lateral X-rays of the ankle. We collected data of wound complications and hardware removal from patient records. Multiple linear regression techniques were performed after identifying dependent variables.

Results: There was no significant difference between non-locking and locking plates in the radiographic bone union rate of distal fibula, respectively at 6 and 12 post-operative weeks (85.71% vs. 81%; p = 0.525 and 97.62% vs. 96.83%; p = 1). No significant difference was found in the wound complication rate between the two groups (11.9% vs. 11.12%; p = 0.9). No significant differences were found in the hardware removal rate, either with or without operative site's infection (respectively: 30.95% vs. 39.68%; p = 0.361 and 21.42% vs. 38.09%; p = 0.071). Cost efficiency is in the favor of non-locking plates.

Conclusion: Non-locking constructs are as effective as locking constructs in the treatment of displaced distal fibula fractures at a substantially lower cost. High-quality randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to verify the finding of this study.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2019.10.001DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

locking plates
20
bone union
16
non-locking plates
12
distal fibula
12
hardware removal
12
plates
8
plates distal
8
fibula fractures
8
radiographic bone
8
wound complications
8

Similar Publications

Treatment of anterior rim fractures of the distal radius with an anterior rim plate: A retrospective study.

J Hand Surg Eur Vol

January 2025

Department of Orthopedics, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University/School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Treatment of distal radial fractures that include small anterior rim fragments can be difficult. We retrospectively reviewed 19 patients in whom an anterior rim plate with locking screws was used. After a median follow-up of 18 months (range 6-32; interquartile range (IQR) 14, 26), the median wrist flexion and extension arc was 70° (range 50-80; IQR 60, 70), the median grip strength was 80% of the contralateral side (range 52-104; IQR 77, 88), the median visual analogue scale score for pain was 0 (range 0-5; IQR 0, 1), the median disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score was 2 (range 0-59; IQR 0, 11) and the median modified Mayo wrist score was 80 (range 35-100; IQR 75, 85).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

[Outcomes of Retrograde Femoral Nail Osteosynthesis of Intraarticular Fractures of the Distal Femur].

Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech

January 2025

Klinika ortopedie a traumatologie pohybového ústrojí Fakultní nemocnice Plzeň.

Purpose Of The Study: Intraarticular fractures of the distal femur rank among the most severe musculoskeletal injuries. Various treatment options, such as plate osteosynthesis or retrograde nailing, can be employed. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications of intraarticular distal femoral fractures treated with retrograde femoral nail, with particular emphasis on C3 fractures.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Distal augmentation in unstable distal clavicle fractures: a retrospective cohort study of 101 cases.

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg

January 2025

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123, Ta Pei Road, Niao Sung Dist, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Introduction: The optimal management strategy for unstable distal clavicular fractures remains controversial. Recent studies on plate techniques have reported good-to-excellent outcomes with no serious complications. The questions are that: (1) Does the use of wire augmentation with locking plate in distal part (distal wire augmentation) reduce radiographic loss of reduction (RLOR) and get earlier bony union in distal clavicular fractures? (2) Which fixation methods are associated with a higher incidence of acromioclavicular (AC) joints arthritis or subluxation? We collected and analyzed clinical studies on different plate fixation methods for unstable fractures to identify the best surgical modality.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Isolated distal fibula fractures (DFF) are usually treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and non-weight-bearing protocols. The study assessed the outcomes of immediate weight-bearing on DFF healing and stability after lateral locking plating.

Materials And Methods: For this study, 49 patients affected by isolated DFF were enrolled.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) treats medial knee osteoarthritis by realigning the knee joint, though it still carries quite a high risk of complications. A new Variable Fixation Locking Screw technology, designed to gradually reduce construct stiffness and promote bone healing, aims to address these issues. This observational study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of this innovative approach in improving clinical outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!