title: Minimally-invasive treatment of high velocity intra-articular fractures of the distal tibia.
abstract: The pilon fracture is a complex injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of minimally invasive techniques in management of these injuries. This was a prospective study of closed AO type C2 and C3 fractures managed by early (<36 hours) minimally invasive surgical intervention and physiotherapist led rehabilitation. Thirty patients with 32 intra-articular distal tibial fractures were treated by the senior surgeon (GK). Our aim was to record the outcome and all complications with a minimum two year follow-up. There were two superficial wound infections. One patient developed a non-union which required a formal open procedure. Another patient was symptomatic from a palpable plate inferiorly. An excellent AOFAS result was obtained in 83% (20/24) of the patients. Early minimally invasive reduction and fixation of complex high velocity pilon fractures gave very satisfactory results at a minimum of two years follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. mikeleonard77@gmail.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magill
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Khayyat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult