A STUDY ON THE UTILITY OF EXTRACUTANEOUS LOCKING PLATE AS AN EXTERNAL FIXATION DEVICE IN JUXTA ARTICULAR COMPOUND FRACTURES

Background: Management of compound fractures remains a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeons. The modalities for management of compound fracture include early fracture stabilization and sequential debridement. External fixation remains the standard. External fixation, especially the Ilizarov technique, is often used as a temporary or definitive adjunct for restoring bony stability, and has been proven effective in the treatment of compound fractures. However, traditional external fixations are often bulky, uncomfortable, and inconvenient for the patient, typically leading to problems with sleeping and clothing, and causing impediment during daily activities. The method of using locking compression plate as an external fixation device has proven to be versatile, low profile, and well tolerated by patients, and has been encouraged as a useful adjunct in the treatment of complex reconstructive cases. Aim: To evaluate the utility of Extra-cutaneous locking plate as an external fixation device in the management of juxta articular compound fractures. Objectives: 1. To evaluate the functional outcome using locking compression plate as an external fixation device in juxta articular fractures. 2. To observe the feasibility, advantages and disadvantages of locking plates in the management of juxta articular Compound fractures. Material and methods: The study will be conducted in skeletally mature patients having juxtaarticular compound fracture of long bones without neurovascular injury, in the orthopaedicsdepoartment at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and AcharyaVinobaBhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi, Wardha. Expected Results: The results will be analyse daccording to time to union, infections and functions of the joints using KSS (knee society score) and AOFAS (American orthopedic foot and ankle score) for lower limbs and DASH (Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand score) for upper limbs.