Introduction: The proximal tibial fractures are associated with high energy trauma and present with difficulty in treatment due to poor soft tissue condition. In our study, we have operated 20 patients with hybrid external fixator as definitive treatment of these fractures. This technique gives good reduction, adequate stability, early mobilization and less complications in patients with high energy proximal tibial fractures.

Aim: To assess the functional and radiological outcome of hybrid external fixator in proximal tibial fractures.

Material and Methods: The study was conducted in Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Madras Medical College between January 2016 to March 2018. Institutional ethical committee approval obtained. It is an analysis of 20 patients treated with hybrid external fixator for compound proximal tibial fractures with or without compartment syndrome. In our study Schatzker classification was used to classify the proximal tibia fracture pattern, the soft tissue injury was classified by Gustilo Anderson classification and functional outcome was analyzed using Rasmussens Scoring for knee and Karlson and Peterson AnkleScoring.

Results: In our study, road traffic accident was the most common mode of injury. Males (86%) are most commonly affected than female (14%) in the ratio of 5:1.The mean age was 40 years. Mean time for fracture union was 20 weeks which ranges from 16 weeks to 32 weeks. Functional scoring of knee by Rasmussen’s criteria shows that excellent in 8 patients (40%), good in 6 patients (30%), fair in 4 patients (20%) and poor in 2 patients (10%).Overall 70% patients had acceptable outcome. Most common complication encountered in our study was pin tract infection (grade 1 to 3 according to Checketts–Otterburns classification) followed by 2 patients had varus malunion and 1 patient went for delayed union.

Conclusion: Hybrid external fixator is a simple and effective way to treat compound proximal tibial fractures with a low complication rate and good clinical outcomes were internal fixation is contraindicated.