PURPOSE : To evaluate the results of the treatment of distal tibial fracture using ring or hybrid ring external fixator and to compare the results according to the influencing factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS : The authors analized 30 patients, 31 cases of distal tibial fracture who were treated by Ilizarov ring external fixator or hybrid ring external fixator at our hospital from May 1996 to August 1998 and were followed up over 1 year. The type of distal tibial fractrue were classified according to AO group, type A was 7 cases, and type C was 24(C1:5, C2:4, C3:15)cases. Restoration of articular surface of the distal tibia was performed through closed method or minimal invasive technique by minimal internal fixation with K-wire or screw. Then fixation of th distal tibia was done by ring external with multiple transfixing wire. Connection to the tibial shaft was done by Ilizarov ring external fixator(15 cases), or mono-external fixator(Dyna-Extor, 16 cases). RESULTS : By Tornetta's assessment of functional results, excellent was 5, good 19, fair 4 and poor 3cases. According to AO classification, the functional results of type A, 7cases were all above good results, among 24 cases of type C, 4cases of C1, 2 cases of C2, and 11 cases of C3 were above good results and there was no statistical difference between the results and the fracture type(P=0.024). One of 3 cases of poor functional results was open type C3 fracture and was complicated with osteomyelitis and refracture, and others two cases type C2 fracture which were complicated with malunion. CONCLUSION : The authors had a good results without soft tissue complication after the treatment of distal tibial fracture patients by Ilizarov ring external fixator or hybrid ring external fixator.