PDF] Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life Following Complex Tibial Fractures Treated with Circular External Fixation: A Comparison between Proximal, Midshaft, and Distal Tibial Fractures

It is suggested that the functional outcomes between proximal, midshaft, and distal complex tibial fractures are comparable, but complex tasks are more difficult and better compared to the ambulating ability of a healthy population aged 65 to 80 years. Abstract Aim and objective The purpose of this study was to compare clinical results following complex proximal, midshaft, and distal tibial fractures and investigate whether there are differences in outcomes between these locations. Materials and methods Patients between 18 years and 65 years of age and minimum follow-up of 12 months with complex tibial fractures treated with a circular ring fixator were included. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov (ASAMI) functional and bone scores, Foot Function Index (FFI), Four Step Square Test (FSST), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Quality of life was assessed by the EQ-5D score. Results A total of 45 patients were included: proximal fractures, n = 11; midshaft fractures, n = 17; and distal fractures, n = 17. ASAMI functional (p = 0.8) and bone scores (p = 0.3) were not different. Excellent and good bone scores were achieved in >90% in all groups. FFI was 30.9 + 24.7 in the proximal group, 33.9 + 27.7 in the midshaft group, and 28.8 + 26.9 in the distal group (p = 0.8). TUG was 9.0 + 2.7 sec in the proximal group, 9.0+3.5 in the midshaft group, and 8.5+2.0 in the distal group (p = 0.67). FSST was 10.7 + 2.5 sec in the proximal, 10.3 + 3.8 in the midshaft, and 8.9 + 1.8 in the distal fracture groups (p = 0.5). EQ-5D index value was highest in the distal (0.72), lowest in the proximal (0.55), and 0.70 in the midshaft fracture groups (p = 0.001). EQ-5D VAS was significantly different between the proximal (65) and midshaft (82.3) (p = 0.001) and between the distal (75) and proximal (65) fracture groups (p = 0.001). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the functional outcomes between proximal, midshaft, and distal complex tibial fractures are comparable. Their ability to ambulate afterward is comparable to age-related normative data, but complex tasks are more difficult and better compared to the ambulating ability of a healthy population aged 65 to 80 years. Patients with proximal tibial fractures had significantly more disability by at least one functional level and/or one health dimension. How to cite this article Naude JJ, Manjra MA, Birkholtz F, et al. Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life Following Complex Tibial Fractures Treated with Circular External Fixation: A Comparison between Proximal, Midshaft, and Distal Tibial Fractures. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2021;16(1):32–40.

PDF) Functional outcomes and quality of life after surgically treated tibial plateau fractures

PDF) Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life Following Complex Tibial Fractures Treated with Circular External Fixation: A Comparison between Proximal, Midshaft, and Distal Tibial Fractures

Distal tibial metaphyseal fractures: the role of fibular fixation

The clinical outcome of combined distal third tibial and fibular fracture treatment with or without fibular fixation: A retrospective study

PDF] Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life Following Complex Tibial Fractures Treated with Circular External Fixation: A Comparison between Proximal, Midshaft, and Distal Tibial Fractures

Staged treatment of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures: influence of frame configuration and quality of reduction on outcomes

Frontiers Application of Smart Healthcare in Comparative Analysis of Effect of Early External Fixator and Plate Internal Fixation Treatment on Postoperative Complications and Lower Limb Function Recovery of Patients With Unstable

Comparing case-control study for treatment of proximal tibia fractures with a complete metaphyseal component in two centers with different distinct strategies: fixation with Ilizarov frame or locking plates

PDF) Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life Following Complex Tibial Fractures Treated with Circular External Fixation: A Comparison between Proximal, Midshaft, and Distal Tibial Fractures

Medicina, Free Full-Text

PDF] Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life Following Complex Tibial Fractures Treated with Circular External Fixation: A Comparison between Proximal, Midshaft, and Distal Tibial Fractures

Management of composite tibial and soft tissue defects via intramedullary bone transport devices and microvascular free flaps: A treatment algorithm and presentation of two cases - ScienceDirect

Complex Tibial Shaft Fractures in Children Involving the Distal Physis Managed with the Ilizarov Method

Management of paediatric tibial fractures using two types of circular external fixator: Taylor spatial frame and Ilizarov circular fixator - Suhayl Tafazal, Sanjeev S. Madan, Farhan Ali, Manoj Padman, Simone Swift, Stanley

Clinical and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Distal Tibial Fracture Treated by Circular External Fixation: A Retrospective Cohort Study