The purpose of the present study was to describe a minimally invasive percutaneous technique for plating Weber B distal fibular fractures and to evaluate its efficacy by measuring patient outcomes and hardware removal rates. The data from 17 patients undergoing percutaneous plating of a distal fibular (Weber B) fracture were prospectively studied. A 4- to 6-hole semitubular plate with 3 screws was used for percutaneously plating. The Roles and Maudsley score was used to assess the patients' activity level. All fibular fractures had healed clinically and radiographically by 8 weeks after surgery. The postoperative Roles and Maudsley scores had improved significantly. The time required to return to activity was 4.3 ± 2.0 months. Hardware removal was required in 3 patients during the study period, which had an average of almost 4 years postoperatively. The results of the present study have demonstrated that percutaneous plating is an effective surgical option for treating Weber B distal fibular fractures.
Keywords: MIPO; Weber B; ankle fracture; minimally invasive.
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