Abstract
Distal tibia fractures are complex injuries frequently caused by high-energy trauma. Fractures in this region of the tibia can be particularly problematic because of the thin soft tissue envelope and poor blood supply. Therefore, soft tissue complications after surgery and prolonged time to union occur after treatment of distal tibia fractures. This can lead to such complications as non-union and failure of fixation. Herein, we present a case of a distal tibia fracture associated with failure of plate fixation. We analyse the aetiology of failure and discuss the options of revision surgery.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Zelle BA, Bhandari M, Espiritu M, Koval KJ, Zlowodzki M, Evidence-Based Orthopaedic Trauma Working Group. Treatment of distal tibia fractures without articular involvement: a systematic review of 1125 fractures. J Orthop Trauma. 2006;20(1):76–9.
Vallier HA, Cureton BA, Patterson BM. Randomized, prospective comparison of plate versus intramedullary nail fixation for distal tibia shaft fractures. J Orthop Trauma. 2011;25(12):736–41.
Bleeker NJ, van de Wall BJM, IJpma FFA, Doornberg JN, Kerkhoffs GMMJ, et al. Plate vs. nail for extra-articular distal tibia fractures: how should we personalize surgical treatment? A meta-analysis of 1332 patients. Injury. 2021;52(3):345–57.
Barcak E, Collinge CA. Metaphyseal distal tibia fractures: a cohort, single-surgeon study comparing outcomes of patients treated with minimally invasive plating versus intramedullary nailing. J Orthop Trauma. 2016;30(5):e169–74.
Clancey GJ, Hansen ST Jr. Open fractures of the tibia: a review of one hundred and two cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1978;60(1):118–22.
Vallier HA, Toan Le T, Bedi A. Radiographic and clinical comparisons of distal tibia shaft fractures (4 to 11 cm proximal to the plafond): plating versus intramedullary nailing. J Orthop Trauma. 2008;22(5):307–11.
Borrelli J Jr, Prickett W, Song E, Becker D, Ricci W. Extraosseous blood supply of the tibia and the effects of different plating techniques: a human cadaveric study. J Orthop Trauma. 2002;16(10):691–5.
Helfet DL, Shonnard PY, Levine D, Borrelli J Jr. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of distal fractures of the tibia. Injury. 1997;28(Suppl. 1):A42–7.
Richmond J, Colleran K, Borens O, Kloen P, Helfet DL. Nonunions of the distal tibia treated by reamed intramedullary nailing. J Orthop Trauma. 2004;18(9):603–10.
Sen MK, Miclau T. Autologous iliac crest bone graft: should it still be the gold standard for treating nonunions? Injury. 2007;38(Suppl 1):S75–80.
Younger EM, Chapman MW. Morbidity at bone graft donor sites. J Orthop Trauma. 1989;3(3):192–5.
Baldwin P, Li DJ, Auston DA, Mir HS, Yoon RS, Koval KJ. Autograft, allograft, and bone graft substitutes: clinical evidence and indications for use in the setting of orthopaedic trauma surgery. J Orthop Trauma. 2019;33(4):203–13.
Belthur MV, Conway JD, Jindal G, Ranade A, Herzenberg JE. Bone graft harvest using a new intramedullary system. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2008;466(12):2973–80.
Dawson J, Kiner D, Gardner W 2nd, Swafford R, Nowotarski PJ. The reamer-irrigator-aspirator as a device for harvesting bone graft compared with iliac crest bone graft: union rates and complications. J Orthop Trauma. 2014;28(10):584–90.
Govender S, Csimma C, Genant HK, Valentin-Opran A, Amit Y, et al. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 for treatment of open tibial fractures: a prospective, controlled, randomized study of four hundred and fifty patients. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2002;84(12):2123–34.
Johnson EE, Urist MR, Finerman GA. Repair of segmental defects of the tibia with cancellous bone grafts augmented with human bone morphogenetic protein: a preliminary report. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1988;236:249–57.
Jones AL, Bucholz RW, Bosse MJ, Mirza SK, Lyon TR, et al. Recombinant human BMP-2 and allograft compared with autogenous bone graft for reconstruction of diaphyseal tibial fracturs with cortical defects: a randomized controlled trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006;88(7):1431–41.
Tressler MA, Richards JE, Sofianos D, Comrie FK, Kregor PJ, Obremskey WT. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 compared to autologous iliac crest bone graft in the treatment of long bone nonunion. Orthopedics. 2011;34(12):e877–84.
Starman JS, Bosse MJ, Cates CA, Norton HJ. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 use in the off-label treatment of nonunions and acute fractures: a retrospective review. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2012;72(3):676–81.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Cheung, Z.B., Wolinsky, P.R. (2024). Distal Tibia Extra-Articular Plating Failed Fixation. In: Giannoudis, P.V., Tornetta III, P. (eds) Failed Fracture Fixation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-39692-2_34
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-39692-2_34
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-39691-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-39692-2
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)