Management of high-energy tibial pilon fractures

Abstract

Tibial pilon fractures result from high-energy trauma unlike usual ankle fractures. Their management provides numerous challenges to the orthopaedic surgeon including obtaining anatomic reduction of articular surface and the management of associated soft tissue injuries. This article aims to review major advances and principles that guide our practice today. We also discuss a treatment algorithm based on a staged approach to the fracture: initial spanning external fixation followed by definitive fixation.