The comparison of steel and titanium dynamic compression plates used for internal fixation of 256 fractures of the tibia

Abstract

A consecutive series of 256 fractures of the shaft of the tibia treated by internal fixation with a narrow dynamic compression plate (DCP) is presented. In 123 cases the plates were made of titanium and in 133 cases they were made of stainless-steel. In both groups the age distribution of the patients, the period between operation and the final review and the time of removal of the metal were comparable. All these fractures resulted from skiing accidents. Eighty-six per cent of the 256 fractures were reviewed between 1 and 2 years after the operation. Ninety-one per cent of the titanium group and 93 per cent of the stainless-steel group showed full recovery without any loss of movement in the joints. In both groups there was the same number of refractures, which were chiefly due to subsequent accidents. There were no cases of local wound infection, osteitis or non-union. Furthermore, there was no difference to be seen between the radiological patterns of fracture healing in the two groups. In this series stainless-steel and titanium plates gave the same excellent results.