Neglected Tibial Pilon Fractures: Can Arthrodesis Be Avoided?

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the outcomes of neglected pilon fractures treated by the Ilizarov fixator and to determine whether this technique was successful in avoiding an ankle arthrodesis.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

SETTING

Level I university trauma center.

PATIENTS: Between January 2003 and March 2015, 18 patients (mean age of 42.17 years) with an untreated pilon fracture with late presentation (>1 month) were evaluated. Six patients were women and 12 were men. The mean duration from trauma to management was 11.17 weeks (range: 7-15). All fractures were OTA/AO 43 type C. Four cases were open fractures.

INTERVENTION: Closed fracture reduction, correction of deformity, and restoration of alignment by the Ilizarov fixator.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The radiographs were evaluated for tibial alignment, quality of reduction, and development of arthrosis. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale was used for functional assessment.

RESULTS

The follow-up period ranged from 18 to 168 months (mean; 38.00). The quality of reduction was excellent in 2 cases, satisfactory in 13 cases, and poor in 3 cases. The external fixator period averaged 29.06 weeks (range: 6.1-7.5 months). All fractures healed without deep infection. Ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion averaged 8.67 and 25.67 degrees, respectively, in 15 cases. Arthrodesis was performed for the remaining 3 cases. The mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot score was 82.67. One case had mild anterior translation, and another 1 had a procurvatum of 5 degrees. Arthrosis developed in 6 ankles.

CONCLUSIONS

A satisfactory outcome was achieved after management by the Ilizarov fixator while avoiding arthrodesis in most cases of this series of neglected pilon fractures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.