Proximal Tibial Fracture: LCP Versus Buttress T-plate

Proximal tibial fractures are complex injuries and are, historically associated with high complication rates. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of locking compression plates (LCP) in comparison with T-buttress plates in treating proximal tibial fractures. In a prospective study, 62 patients (51 men, 11 women) with proximal tibial fracture referring to Mashhad Medical University Trauma Center were treated with T-buttress plate fixation in 35 and LCP in 27 cases. The treatment outcome was evaluated clinically and radiographically with 24 months (18-36 months) average follow-up. In LCP group, there were 3 cases of Knee motion limitation, 1 malunion, 1 infection and no non-union; and in T-plate group, 4 cases of knee motion limitation, 6 malunions, 2 non-unions and 4 infections. There was, therefore, no significant difference in terms of joint range of motion between the two groups. Malunion and infection were, however, more common in T-plate fixation group. Locking compression plating in proximal tibial fractures provides stronger fixation and is associated with less malunion and infection as compared to T-plate fixation.