Comparison of intramedullary nails plus blocking screws and percutaneous locking compression plates for distal tibial metaphyseal fractures.

Objective To compare the combination of a barrier screw and intramedullary nail locking plate for treatment of distal tibial metaphyseal fractures. Methods 52 cases of distal tibial metaphyseal fractures were randomly divided into two groups, namely percutaneous locking plate (plate group, n = 26) and combined with the barrier screw nail art (intramedullary nail group, n = 26) in-line fracture fixation. The operation time of the two groups, perspective times, blood loss, postoperative infection, ankle before and translated inside and outside corners, full weight-bearing time, the rate of fracture healing, loosening of the implant rupture rate, ankle activity and Olerud-Molander Ankle scores were compared. Results The patients were 15 ~ 21 (19.0 ± 3.4) month follow-up showed good ankle function, and operation time, fluoroscopy times, postoperative infection, before ankle and translated inside and outside corners, full weight-bearing time, fracture healing rate, loosening the implant rupture rate, ankle activity and Olerud-Molander ankle score and so the difference was not statistically significant (P0.05). Intramedullary nail group more than the amount of bleeding plate group (P0.05), steel group, 2 cases of soft tissue complications. Conclusion distal tibial fractures, interlocking intramedullary nailing combined with percutaneous screws and locking plate fixation is an effective barrier, but for patients with soft tissue injury conditions, the former is the better choice.