EVALUATION OF LOCKING COMPRESSION PLATING BY MIPPO TECHNIQUE IN PROXIMAL TIBIAL FRACTURES: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

CONTEXT: Surgical management of proximal tibia fractures by MIPPO technique. BACKGROUND: Tibial plateau fractures constitute about 1% of all fractures & complex tibial condylar fractures constitute 30% of all tibial plateau fractures. Majority of such fractures are secondary to high velocity RTA's/fall from a height. With the ever increasing number of options for fracture fixation and the emergence of the concept of biological fixation, the trend of fracture fixation has shifted from Open reduction & internal fixation to MIPPO technique for fracture fixation. AIM: To evaluate the functional outcome of MIPPO technique with locking plates in management of proximal tibial fractures. MATERIALS & METHODS: We have conducted a prospective study comprising of 30 patients with proximal tibia fractures. Inclusion criteria: all closed Schatzker Types II, IV, V, VI, exclusion criteria: open fractures, Types I & III Schatzker fractures. The patients were managed by MIPPO technique with proximal tibia locking plate and the results have been evaluated with the help of Rasmussen's scoring system. RESULTS: in our study 90% patients had good [18 patients] & excellent [9 patients] results. 10% had fair [2 patients] and poor [1 patient] results. Average functional knee score was 23.11. Average range of movement achieved was 122 degrees. Average time for fracture healing was 16.67 weeks. CONCLUSION: From our study we conclude that MIPPO technique gives good to excellent results even in high energy tibial condyle fractures [90% in our study] and is a good method for treating such fractures.