Medial external fixation with lateral plate internal fixation in metaphyseal tibia fractures. A report of eight cases associated with severe soft-tissue injury.

Eight patients with unstable fractures involving the articular surface and metaphyseal-diaphyseal bone of the proximal or distal tibia associated with severe soft-tissue injury or compounding wound were treated with irrigation, debridement, tetanus inoculation, antibiotic prophylaxis, and combined internal fixation with one-half frame external skeletal fixation for neutralization. All patients were followed to complete healing and functional restoration of the extremity. All fractures healed, but one superficial and one deep infection occurred. All patients achieved at least 110 degrees of knee motion. This method should be considered in unstable metaphyseal and articular tibia fractures not adequately stabilized with a lateral plate in which use of an additional medial plate is required for stability, but contraindicated because of the status of the soft tissues or extensive comminution of the bone.