title: Complications and early results after operative fixation of 68 pilon fractures of the distal tibia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this cohort study, we present comprehensive injury specific and surgical outcome data from one of the largest reported series of pilon fractures of the distal tibia treated in a UK tertiary referral centre.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A series of 68 closed pilon fractures were retrospectively reviewed from case notes, plain radiographs and computed tomography imaging. Patient demographics, injury and fracture patterns, methods and timing of fixation and clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed over a mean follow-up period of 7.7 months (1.5-30). Overall, deep infection occurred in 1.6% with superficial infection and wound breakdown occurring in 6.3% of cases. Rates of nonunion and malunion were 7.8%. Radiological posttraumatic arthritis was present in 26.6%, which was symptomatic and requiring orthopaedic management in 9.4%. Further surgery for all causes occurred in 26.6% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fixation of these complex fractures in subspecialist units can achieve overall low rates of wound complications, with definitive fixation of selected fractures within 48 h of initial presentation achieving comparable results to those fixed in a delayed fashion. However, this injury continues to have a significant overall complication rate with a high chance of developing early posttraumatic arthritis and of requiring further surgery.
authors: Speciality Registrar, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK 1adamlomax@gmail.com.
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Lomax
authors: Clinical Fellow in Foot and Ankle Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors: Anjani
authors: A
authors: Singh
authors: Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors: Madeley
authors: M
authors: N Jane
authors: Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors: Kumar
authors: K
authors: C Senthil
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Pilon; distal tibia; fracture; outcomes