Shortening and re-lengthening versus bone transport for the treatment of distal tibial periarticular post-traumatic defects

In the present study, we presented our experience with a new modified technique of shortening and re-lengthening using a monolateral external frame combined with a calcaneal intramedullary nail and compared it with the bone transport technique for the treatment of distal tibial periarticular post-traumatic defects. Forty-one patients were retrospectively analyzed. Among them 19 were treated using our modified shortening and re-lengthening technique (MSR group) and 22 by bone transport (BT group). The difference in external fixation time (EFT), external fixation index (EFI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and complications were compared between the two groups. The mean EFT was 3.4 ± 0.6 months in the MSR group and 7.5 ± 1.4 months in the BT group; the EFI was 0.57 ± 0.06 month/cm and 1.32 ± 0.23 month/cm, respectively. The EFT, EFI, and SAS scores were significantly lower in the MSR group than in the BT Group (p < 0.05). The mean number of complications per patient in the BT group was nearly 2.4 times that of the MSR group (p < 0.05). Our modified shortening and re-lengthening technique reduced the EFI and complication incidence compared to the bone transport technique. Therefore, patients with distal tibial periarticular post-traumatic defects can achieve great satisfaction with this new technique.