Study of fractures treated with anatomical plates in lower limb

Abstract

Introduction: It is a study of biological plating at various situations. Biological is a least contact plate designed for use in specific anatomical regions such as the proximal & distal femur, proximal & distal tibia. Minimal invasive plate osteo-synthesis by biological plate has the potential of becoming one of the main stays of fracture management in the years to come. Biological fixation principles advocate realigning by manipulation at a distance to the fracture site, leaving comminuted fragments out of the mechanical construct, preserving soft tissues with limited operative exposure. Materials and method: The study consists of 30 patients with fractures at different locations in the lower limb such as proximal femur, distal femur, proximal tibia and distal tibia. We have treated patients with anatomical plate for respective fracture in the bone. Clinical outcome and function results were evaluated by Harris Hip Score for proximal femur fracture, Knee Society score for distal femur and proximal tibia fracture, Olerud and Molander score for distal tibia fracture. Result: Out of the 30 patients included in the study, 18 cases were operated with open method and 12 patients were operated with closed method. Average radiological union time was 21.36 week. We have achieved 83.3% of excellent result. Conclusion: Anatomical plates are pre-contoured plate as per shape of the bone. Anatomical reduction is possible as well as length of the limb is maintained and axial alignment and rotational stability is provided. As plates have groove on inner surface so it preserves the periosteal blood supply which will help in faster healing of the bone. Anatomical plates are best proven option for the comminuted intra-articular fractures of the long bones.