Clinical and Radiological Outcome of Complex Proximal Tibia Fractures Managed with Hybrid/Ilizarov Fixator with or without Minimal Internal Fixation

Background. Complex high grade proximal tibia fractures with associated extensive soft tissue injury pose a management challenge. The timing of surgery and fracture fixation options depend upon the extent of soft tissue damage. Post-operative complications such as wound breakdown, infection and infected non-union are common in such cases managed early with open reduction and internal fixation. Such fractures can be treated with primary closed reduction and Ilizarov/hybrid fixator application. Materials and methods. It is a retrospective cross sectional study conducted at two tertiary care multispecialty hospitals to report the mid-term clinical and radiological outcomes of complex high grade proximal tibia fractures. These injuries were managed by closed reduction and external fixation with/without minimal internal fixation as a definitive procedure and outcome measures were checked with serial radiographs and functional scores at a regular interval of follow up. 17 patients with Schatzker’s type 5 or 6 proximal tibia fractures with soft tissue compromise were operated on at two tertiary care referral centres from 2017 to 2019. These cases were operated on by two experienced trauma surgeons. Periodic follow-up was done and radiological and functional progression noted from case records. Results. Average time to union was noted to be 12.59 weeks and mean time of fixator removal was 21.4 weeks. At the end of 1 year of follow-up, average range of motion was 121.76 degrees, average WOMAC score was 74.81(63-82) and KOOS score was 78.24(63-85). Conclusions. 1. Hybrid/Ilizarov fixator method is a safe way of fixing high energy proximal tibia fractures. It is associated with a good functional outcome, less soft tissue complications and allows early weight bearing. 2. We recommend this method of treatment for complex high grade proximal tibia fractures.