FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF ILIZAROV EXTERNAL FIXATOR IN A COMMINUTED TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURE

Abstract

Background:

The cominuted tibial plateau fractures are complicated injuries that often occur because of high-energy trauma and often are linked to severe soft-tissue injuries. It is a challenge to fix the biological environment and at the same time achieve a stable fixation. Circular fixator systems and external fixation have become a convenient alternative to internal fixation of such fractures.

Objective:

To establish the functional outcome of the use of Ilizarov external fixators in patients with comminuted tibial plateau fracture.

Methods:

The study was a descriptive study that was undertaken in the Department of Orthopedics, Khyber Teaching Hospital, after six months of study. Non-probability consecutive sampling was used to enroll a total of 170 patients aged between 18-60 years, of both gender who were diagnosed with comminuted tibial plateau fractures. Every patient was definitively fixed by the application of an Ilizarov external fixator by the consultant orthopedic surgeons. Basic pin-site management, early knee mobilization, and gradual weight bearing were all sources of postoperative care. The Wilde modification of the Neer Knee scoring system was used to determine functional outcomes at 12 weeks. The SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the data.

Results:

Most of the patients attained positive functional outcomes. Most of the cases showed excellent results in over half and a significant percentage of the cases resulted in good results. Minority of patients were recorded to have fair and poor outcomes. The most frequent complication was superficial pin-tract infection, which was treated in a conservative way. There were no instances of deep and non-union.

Conclusion:

External fixation is a safe and efficient modality in the management of comminuted tibial plateau fractures, which deliver satisfactory short-term functional results with a desirable complication profile.