To discuss the effect of minimally invasive locking compression plate on the joint function and complication in the patients with distal tibiofibular fracture (DTF).

A total of 75 patients with DTF were selected from January 2017 to December 2018 in Yangshan People′s Hospital, the patients diagnosed as type A3 DTF, age>18 years old and informed consent were included. The patients with contraindications of this operation, osteoarthritis, bone tumor and other bone diseases or fractures of other parts were excluded. According to the random number table method, they were divided into group A (n=38) and group B (n=37). The group A were treated with minimally invasive locking compression plates, and the group B were treated with open reduction locking compression plates. The chi-square test is used for counting data, the rank sum Z test is used for rank data, and the t test is used for measurement data, the operation conditions, fracture healing, joint function and complications were compared between the two groups.

The incision length, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay and fracture healing time in the group A were significantly lower than those in the group B, the difference was statistically significant (t=13.771, 5.697, 12.431, 15.644, all P<0.05), the operation time in the group A was higher than that in the group B, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The excellent rate of fracture healing and joint function in the group A were significantly higher than those in the group B, the difference was statistically significant (χ²=4.789, 3.973, both P<0.05). The complication rate in group A was significantly lower than that in the group B, the difference was statistically significant (χ²=4.341, P<0.05).

Minimally invasive locking compression plate is effective for DTF, which can promote fracture healing, joint function recovery and reduce complications, it’s worth for further clinical promotion.