Comparison of Biomechanical Stability of the Ilizarov External Fixation Methods for Treatment of Tibial Pilon Fractures

Kim, Hak Sun; Kim, Tae Gyun; Huh, Young Hak

Abstract

In order to compare mechanical stability of the Ilizarov external fixation methods for treatment of pilon fracture of the tibia, six human amputed tibiae were utilized to simulate Ruedi type I, II, and III fractures anatomically and non-anatomically reduced. Six fracture models which were either anatomically(3) or non-anatomically(3) reduced were first stailized by the Ilizarov construct composed of two tibial rings and foot assembly with connecting rods and ankle hinges and underwent axial load compression test using Instron. And then same tests were repeated on the models in which ankle hinges between the tibial rings and foot assembly were removed to examine biomechanical effect of the ankle hinges on the fracture stability. When the fracture model was fixed by the construct without ankle hinges, 720 N-780 N were required to disrupt fracture stability. When the fracture was non-anatomically reduced and was fixed by the construct without ankle hinges, 420 N-520 N were required to disrupt the fracture stability. The current study suggests that Ilizarov fixation system should have the construct composed of two tibial rings and foot assembly with connection rods and ankle hinges to prevent fracture destabilization during early ankle motion and weight-bearing in the tibial pilon fracture.