title: Ilizarov treatment of complex tibial pilon fractures.
abstract: We treated 21 consecutive patients between 1998 and 2002 with complex tibial pilon fractures, eight type B and 13 type C, using percutaneous reduction and fixation with the small diameter Ilizarov apparatus. The average patient age was 34+/-5.6 years (range 28-52 years). Nine of the patients had open fractures (two type I, four type II, and three type IIIA). The patients were followed up regularly at 6-month intervals for 2 years. All fractures united. The fixator was removed at an average of 26.6+/-4.2 weeks (range 20-34 weeks). The average American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hind foot score was excellent in 11 patients, good in five, fair in four, and poor in one. Thirteen patients were able to squat and climb stairs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India. vidya007@gmail.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vidyadhara
authors.forename: Sharath K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome