To compare the result of treatment between minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) using periarticular plate and intramedullary nailing in treatment of distal tibia fractures.

28 cases of distal tibia fractures form Jan. 2006 to Mar. 2008 were divided into two group. Minimum follow-up was for 12 month. Group 1 consisted of 14 patients who were treated by MIPO technique and group 2 consisted of 14 patients who were treated by interlocking intramedullary nailing. The results were compared by assessing radiologic and clinical result.

The mean bony union time was 14 weeks (8~17) in group 1 and 15 weeks (11~20) in group 2. Operation time was 58 minutes (55~65) in group 1 and 82.7 minutes (70~100) in group 2. The average angulation in AP view was 1.5 degrees (0~2) in group 1 and 2 degrees (0~5) in group 2, in lateral view was 1.8 degrees (0~4) in group 1 and 2.3 degrees (0~12) in group 2. The average range of motion for dorsi flextion was 17.5 degrees (15~20) in group 1 and 18 degrees (16~20) in group 2, for plantar flextion was 45 degrees (42~50) in group 1 and 44 degrees (42~50) in group 2, which means that there were no severe limitation of motion in all patients, resulting in satisfactory ambulation. There was no post operative complications such as skin irritation problem caused by internal device and no implant failure and superficial wound infection.

There were no difference in bony union time, clinical result and anatomical reduction between Group 1 and Group 2 in distal tibia fractures, but operation time was shorter in MIPO than nailing.