Tibial pilon fractures

Abstract

Tibial pilon fractures are severe injuries to the distal articular surface of the tibia. Such injuries frequently result from high-energy axial impact and are often associated with extended soft tissue injury. Various treatment methods are available, depending not only on the fracture type but mostly on the extent of the soft tissue injury; one of the most frequent procedures is a two-stage surgery: the initial closed reduction of the fracture via primary placement of an ankle joint-spanning external fixator, if possible in conjunction with open reduction and internal fixation of the fractured fibula followed by a secondary procedure after soft tissue recovery by open reduction and internal fixation of the tibial plafond. By now, new types of low-profile and locking plates are available for internal fixation allowing the anatomical reconstruction of the fractured articular surface while sparing the soft tissue. Nonetheless, the treatment of tibial pilon fractures is technically demanding because of their potential for severe complications.