Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of treatment for proximal tibia fractures using a locking plate. We treated 11 patients (6 men and 5 women, mean age 69 years) between 2007 and 2009. The mean follow-up period was 11 months. The fracture type by the AO classification was 41-B2 in 2 cases, 41-B3 in 4 cases, 41-C2 in 1 case, and 41-C3 in 4 cases. The fractures united in all patients. When evaluated according to the Hohl and Luck criteria, functional results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 5, and fair in 1, and the anatomical results were excellent in 3 cases, good in 7, and fair in 1. In the latter (fair) case, reduction of the articular surface was poor during the operation. The articular surface step-off in this case was 4 mm after the operation. We conclude that a locking plate is useful for treatment of proximal tibia fractures, and that reduction of the articular surface is important for obtaining a good outcome.
