Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis (MIPO) of Distal Tibial Fracture Using a Posterolateral Approach

Abstract

The high-energy distal tibial and pilon fractures are the challenging injuries to be managed because of the associated severe soft tissue injuries. These soft tissue injuries occur mostly at the distal anterior aspect of the leg or ankle. This study presents a novel technique for dealing with this situation, minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of a distal tibial fracture using a posterolateral approach. The postoperative care and potential complications of the two patients who underwent this surgical technique are also described. The study shows that this minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique is an alternative option for the treatment of distal tibial fractures especially when the anterior soft tissue is compromised.

Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level 4. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.