The Role of Fibular Fixation in the Treatment of Combined Distal Tibia and Fibula Fracture: A Randomized, Control Trial

BACKGROUND This randomized, parallel-group, non-blinded study was designed to determine the role of fibular fixation in the treatment outcomes of combined distal tibia and fibula fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty patients with distal tibial and fibular fractures were randomly divided in two groups of case and controls. In the case group, fibula was fixed prior to the fixation of tibia. In the control group, tibia was fixed without fibular fixation. Primary outcomes were varus-valgus angulation, anterior-posterior angulation, union and side effects. Follow-up visit and radiographs were taken 2 and 4 weeks as well as 3, 6 and 9 months after surgery. RESULTS During the follow-up, 11 out of 60 patients in case and control groups were excluded. We recruited 24 and 25 patients in the case and control group, respectively. Intramedullary nailing was used in 8 patients of case and 11 patients of control group. Plate and screw were used in 16 patients in the case and 14 patients in the control group. Varus/valgus and anterior-posterior angulation were not statistically significant between two groups (P ≥ 0.05). The frequency of tibial and fibula union after 1, 3, 6 and 9 months in case and controls groups were not statistically significant (P ≥ 0.05). The frequency of nonunion of tibia and fibula, infection and nerve injury in studied groups were not statistically significant (P ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSION We did not observe any significant improvement using fibular fixation in the treatment outcomes of tibia distal fractures.