A Clinical Study of tibial Pilon Fractures

Kim, Key Yong; Cho, Duck Yun; Seo, Jai Gon; Yang, Sung Bum; Cho, Kyu Jung

Abstract

The tibial pilon fracture is one of the most difficult fracuture to treat because of severe metaphyseal bone defect, comminution of the articular surface, disruption of ankle mortise and accompanying soft tissues injury resulting from axial compression and rotational forces. The recent concept of management of tibial pilon fracture is to open and provide anatomical reduction with stable internal fixation, early joint motion and considerably delayed weight bearing. We reviewed 16 cases of tibial pilon fracture experienced from June 1985 to December 1 988 and the result were as follows; Tibial pilon fracture comprises 8.7% of all ankle fractures(183 cases) during the period and prevalent in male. According to the classification by Ruedi and Allgoewer, 2 cases of typeI, 9 cases of type II and 5 cases of type III. 3 cses treated conservatively and 13 cases operatively. Better results were obtaiined in latter group, and in typeI and type II than III. The important factors influencing the clinical result were the type of fracture and accuracy of reduction including maintainace of fibular length.