EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE PLATE OSTEOSYNTHESIS (MIPO) IN PROXIMAL TIBIA FRACTURES

Introduction: Proximal tibia is a weight-bearing area, and treating these fractures is challenging. Various treatment options will be closed reduction and casting, Open reduction and internal fixation with plate osteosynthesis, and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO). The advantage of MIPO in this type of fracture is that it requires only minimal exposure for stable fixation and will give a better quality of life with less complications. The study aimed to assess the functional outcome of MIPO in treating the proximal tibia fractures. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 30 patients was conducted in patients treated with the MIPO technique for closed proximal tibia fracture. Sanders score was assessed for functional outcome in 6th month. Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.16 years. Lateral column MIPO alone was done in 22 patients and Dual column MIPO was done in 8 patients. The mean time to union of fracture was 12.16 weeks ranging from 11 to 18 weeks. Sanders score at 6th month showed excellent results in 18 cases, good results in 8, fair results in 3 and poor results in 1 case (Type II fracture). Conclusion: MIPO is a good technique for treating proximal tibia fractures as it provides good functional results like early fracture union, minimal blood loss, early wound healing, less chances of infection and early mobilization with better quality of life. However, it has its own limitations.