Union Following Biological and Rigid Fixations of Distal Tibia Extra-articular Fractures

Background: Distal tibia fractures are among the most common bony injuries, with a significant rate of nonunion anddelayed union. There are multiple methods for the management of distal tibia fractures. Among the plating methods,there are bridge plating and compression plating techniques. There is still a lack of evidence about whether one methodhas a higher rate of union than the other. The present study aimed to assess the union rate of extra-articular distal tibiafractures using biological fixation with bridge plating and rigid fixation with compression plating.Methods: This retrospective analysis was performed on 41 adult patients with distal tibia fractures. The subjectswere divided into two groups based on the fixation method, namely bridge plating and compression plating. Baselinecharacteristics, fracture characteristics, and union status were analyzed and compared in this study.Results: Baseline and fracture characteristics were similar between the groups. Only higher translation in any planeswas noted in the bridge plating group (2.80±3.04 mm; P<0.001). As for union status, the rates of the union during 3months and delayed/no union were similar between the two groups (P=0.18). During a 6-month follow-up, 92% and93.8% of the patients achieved union in the bridge plating and compression plating groups, respectively.Conclusion: Rates of delayed union and nonunion are similar regarding extra-articular distal tibia fractures treatedwith either bridge plating or compression plating.Level of evidence: III