Extra-articular distal tibia fractures: To plate or nail? A comparison

Abstract

High energy trauma such as road traffic accidents, are a common cause of lower extremity fractures. Tibia fractures are the second most common lower extremity fractures, and distal tibia fractures deserve special attention due to the relatively lesser amount of energy necessary to cause the fracture, and the propensity for complications, such as nonunion, malunion, infections, and skin cover complications. In this study, we compare and discuss the outcomes of two well-established modalities of surgical management of extra articular fractures of the distal tibia, intramedullary nailing, and plate fixation.