Background: Distal one-third tibial fractures with or without articular involvement can be difficult to manage. Variety of treatment methods have been suggested for these injuries, including conservative treatment, external fixation with or without limited internal fixation, intramedullary nailing, plate fixation (medial or anterolateral) and more recently minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO). All of these techniques have advantages and disadvantages. None of these techniques can be considered the “gold standard” for these injuries.

Objective: The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the results of anterolateral plating of these fractures.

Result: We studied the outcome of 30 consecutive patients with closed distal tibial fractures using anterolateral plating. We followed patients for one year. All the fractures united. The average to union was 17.2 weeks One patient had limb length shortening of more than one cm (1.5 cm). Two patients developed superficial wound infection and one patient developed deep infection. Three patients had ankle stiffness and three had painless palpable implant. The average AO Foot and Ankle score was 84. 2 in our study.

Conclusion: We concluded distal one-third tibial fractures with or without articular involvement can be treated with anterolateral tibial plate.

Keywords: Anterolateral, Distal, Fracture, Plating, Tibia.

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Ajaz Ahmad Bhat

Medical Officer, Department of Health, J&K.