DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2016.v04i08.005

Pages: 627-633

Distal tibial fracture is a complex injury with high complication rate and constitutes about 7% of all tibial fractures. Many treatment options have been described for treating such fractures. Among the surgical options, plate osteosynthesis achieves near anatomic reduction and acceptable union rates with good functional outcome. In our prospective study conducted at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, from September 2012 to March 2016, 15 cases of distal tibial fractures were treated with plate osteosynthesis using posterolateral approach, which achieved good to excellent result in 60% of patients and 40% fair results, based on Baird Jackson ankle scoring system. An advantage of posterolateral approach is fixation of fibula and tibia using a single incision, avoiding wound healing problem and deep infection. We conclude that the posterolateral approach is a safe approach with satisfactory results and provides a viable alternative for the orthopaedic surgeons for the treatment of distal tibial fractures.