[Fracture of the distal lower limb: two-stage surgical treatment with external fixator and locked-screw plate].

From January 1999 until October 2004 we treated 42 patients with closed fractures of the distal calf by a two-stage treatment plan: first the fracture was stabilized with an external fixator bridging the ankle joint. Second, after an average period of 8.3 days, an open reduction and internal fixation with a locked-screw implant followed. As complications we saw a superficial wound necrosis in 3 cases, 2 patients needed an early bone graft after insufficient bone healing and in one case a deep vein thrombosis of the thigh occurred. A deep infection or osteitis were not seen. 17 patients showed no deficit in the range of movement of the ankle joint compared to their opposite side, 21 patients had a deficit of movement of one third compared to the opposite side and 4 patients suffered from a deficit of (2/3). Radiologically we saw in 31 fractures of the pilon-tibiale in 19 cases no or only few arthrosis of the ankle joint, in 9 cases intermediate and in 3 cases advanced arthrosis. With a two-stage surgical treatment with external fixator and locked-screw implant we achieved a good functional result with only few complications.