Background: Proximal segmental tibia fractures are rare injuries. Concomitant soft tissue injury, additional articular involvement and ligament injuries, secondary displacement, infection and pseudarthrosis present high demands for the implant and the surgeon. This clinical study was designed to clarify whether Tibia-LISS is a suitable implant for this type of fracture.
Material and methods: From January 2002 to June 2005, 24 consecutive patients with proximal segmental tibia fractures were evaluated prospectively. All fractures were treated with Tibia-LISS. Follow-up examination was every 4 weeks until fracture healing. The final follow-up examination was at least 1 year after surgery and the average time was 23 months.
Results: Of the 24 patients, 23 could be considered for the follow up examination. On average 3.4 operations per patient were necessary, in 19 patients the fractures (82.6%) healed within 6 months after surgery, 2 deep-seated infections and 5 postoperative misalignments occurred. No patient suffered from secondary loss of reduction but 11 patients (47.8%) suffered from a complicated healing process.
Conclusion: Tibia-LISS is a suitable implant for the treatment of proximal segmental tibia fractures with an acceptable rate of complications.