[Clinical results of tibial pilon fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation].

Abstract

We evaluated the results of pilon fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The study included 18 patients (mean age 36 years; range 19 to 56 years) with pilon fractures. According to the Ruedi and Allgower's classification, there were three type I, nine type II, and six type III fractures. Five fractures were open including three of Gustilo-Anderson type II, and two fractures of type III. The results were assessed using the Burwell-Charnley criteria. The mean follow-up was 54 months (range 9 to 86 months). According to the Burwell-Charnley criteria, the results were good in 12 patients (66%), fair in three patients (17%), and poor in three patients (17%). The most common complication was posttraumatic degenerative arthritis, followed by wound infection (22%), Sudeck atrophy (22%), delayed union (17%), and angulation (11%). Early anatomical reduction, a stable fixation, early mobilization, and delayed weight-bearing seem to improve long-term results of treatment in pilon fractures caused by high energy trauma.