Percutaneous plating of lower limb long bone fractures.

We conducted a study on indirect reduction and percutaneous plating in the treatment of 22 cases (mean age 50.3, S.D. 18.5, range 18-88) of non-diaphyseal fractures of long bones of the lower limb mainly using the lateral tibial head buttress plate. All cases achieved radiological union and full weight bearing walking. No major malalignment resulted and only one Gustilo III-b compound fracture required bone grafting. None required revision surgery from problem with union. One case required revision in the early learning phase and another patient suffered wound complication from self-herbal application which required local flap surgery. The satisfactory functional results and the lack of soft tissue complications suggest that this method should be considered in metaphyseal fractures where intramedullary nails are not applicable.