Background: Proximal tibial fractures account for 1% of all fractures. Different treatments have been proposed for this fracture. Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of singleLocking and double-Locking plate fixation methods in patients with proximal tibial fractures. Methods: The present study was carried out on 40 patients with proximal tibial fractures referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari, Iran. They were divided into two groups of double-Locking fixation with 3. 5-mm Locking Compression plate (LCP) and single-Locking fixation with 4. 5-mm LCP. They were followed up for at least 6 months after surgery. At the time of admission, they were assessed using Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and Visual Analogue Scale. Radiographs were taken from all patients and the articular surface, and fracture healing, . Results: Of 40 patients, 17 and 23 were treated with 3. 5-mm and 4. 5-mm LCPs, respectively. The mean Lysholm score in the groups with 3. 5-mm and 4. 5-mm LCPs was 84±, 8. 2 and 78. 3±, 16. 2, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0. 5). Conclusion: The radiological and functional outcomes were almost the same for single-Locking and double-Locking plate fixation methods. Both methods can be used to treat the tibial plateau fracture. The treatment can be selected according to the surgeon and the patient’, s request.

Locking compression plate (LCP) is a common orthopedic instrument for internal fixation and healing of bone trauma. It is important to study on mechanical behavior and failure investigation of LCP because its failure leads to lots of cost and pain to the patient. In this paper, fatigue life of an eight-hole tibia LCP is evaluated under flexural loading. A four-point bending jig is manufactured and fatigue tests are performed for different compression loads. Fatigue life cycles are investigated for compression loads of 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000 N and relation between compression load and life cycles is estimated. 125 walking days is estimated for the patient during treatment period according to life cycle results. Post failure analysis results on fracture surface revealed that the crack initiated from the edge of compression hole and propagated from lower to the upper surface of LCP according to beach marks. Finally, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on the fracture surface revealed striations as a proof of fatigue crack growth. The striation spacing near the crack initiation site is found to be smaller than this spacing far from the initiation zone. The fatigue crack propagation life is estimated as 1600 cycles according to the number of striation spacings.

Dear Editor, Fracture of the calcaneus is usually a challenging problem for orthopedic surgeons and patients. Calcaneal fractures are the most common of tarsal bone fractures, and mostof themare displaced intra-articular (nearly 75%) fractures, usually resulting from falling or motor vehicle accidents (1). Most patients with calcaneal fractures are usually young men in their prime working years, which results in a significant loss of economic productivity. Although surgical techniques and fixation implants have generally improved functional outcomes, there is vast controversy as to the management of these highly complex injuries...

Background: The purpose of the current study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of distal radius volar T plate and pre-contoured Locking plate in distal clavicle fracture. Methods: A total of 60 patients with Neer 2b distal clavicle fracture were included in this study and undergone open reduction and internal fixation between March 2019 and November 2020 via two different plates,distal radius volar T plate and distal clavicle pre-contoured Locking plate. All patients were followed at least two years post-operative. Union rate, time to union, need to device removal, and Constant-Murley score were assessed among them. Results: In all patients, the bony union was achieved without wound-related complications. The mean time to union in distal radius volar T plate group was 3. 30. 6 and 3. 60. 7 in the pre-contoured Locking plate (p =0. 14). The mean Constant-Murley score was 93. 12. 2 and 92. 1 2. 5 in T plate group and pre-contoured plate group, respectively (p =0. 09). Five cases with T plate and eight cases with pre-contoured plated were candidates for device removal (p =0. 53). Conclusion: Distal radius volar T plate could be a reasonable choice to manage Neer 2b distal clavicle fracture as it restores functional range of motion with excellent bone union and without the necessity of device removal, besides its economical price