Functional Outcome of Hybrid External Fixator in Management of Proximal Tibia Fractures With Poor Skin Conditions

The proximal tibial fractures with poor skin conditions are difcult to treat. The challenges encountered are anatomical fracture reduction, maintaining joint congruity and stable xation of fracture fragments with minimal soft tissue dissection in an already compromised condition leading to increased risk of infections. Aims And Objectives To evaluate the functional outcome of hybrid external xator in management of proximal tibia fractures with poor skin conditions. Method And Material This prospective study was conducted at department of Orthopaedics of S.N. Medical College Agra. Fracture patterns were classied by Schatzker classication, the soft tissue injuries were classied by Gustilo Anderson classication and functional outcomes were analyzed using Modied Knee society score. Results In our study, 40 patients of proximal tibia fractures were treated using hybrid external xator , males (72.5%) were more commonly affected than females (27.5%). Out of 40 cases, compound fractures (87.5%) were much more common than closed fractures with poor skin conditions (12.5%). According to the Modied Knee society score we have obtained Excellent results in 20 patients ( 50% ), Good in 10 patients (25% ), Fair in 7 patients (17.5% ), Poor in 3 (7.5% ) patients . The most common complication encountered was pin track infection (12.5%) which was easily treated with pin track care and oral antibiotics. Conclusion Hybrid external xator is a good option to treat proximal tibia fractures with poor skin condition as it has a low complication rate and good clinical outcome and it can be used in those situations where internal xation is contraindicated.