When a person suffers a fracture in the lower part of their shin bone, the choice of surgical technique is a big decision. Doctors use different methods to stabilize the bone, such as open surgery, minimally invasive plates, or internal nails. Each method has different impacts on how quickly the bone heals and the risk of complications.
A large review of 2,145 patients compared these methods. The findings showed that a minimally invasive plate (MIPO) often took longer to perform in the operating room and took longer for the bone to knit back together compared to certain types of internal nailing. Additionally, the study found that MIPO was linked to a higher risk of malunion, which is when a bone heals in an incorrect position, compared to other specific methods.
While some techniques showed lower risks for certain complications, no single surgery was found to be perfectly superior for everyone. Some results were less certain due to differences in how individual studies were conducted. Because every injury is unique, patients and doctors should discuss these specific surgical options and risks together.
