Analysis of epidemiological characteristics of ankle fracture and curative effect of posterior Pilon fracture

Abstract

Objective To summarize the epidemiological characteristics of ankle fractures and clinical outcome of open reduction and fixation for the treatment of posterior Pilon fracture with supporting plate. Methods From January 1st, 2013 to December 31st, 2016, the data of three hundred and twelve patients with ankle fracture in Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University were collected, and 21 cases of posterior Pilon fracture were treated with open reduction and fixation using supporting plate and were followed up, the ankle function was assessed by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot scale. Results There were 312 patients with ankle fractures, 180 males, 132 females.The age distribution of patients was as follows: 1.28%, 12.82%, 14.42%, 24.04%, 28.53%, 11.54%, 6.09% and 1.28% in the following age group: ≥18 and ≤20 years of age, >20 and ≤30 years of age, >30 and ≤40 years of age, 40> and ≤50 years of age, >50 and ≤60 years of age, >60 and ≤70 years of age, >70 and ≤80 years of age and >80years of age.Traffic accidents (49%), sprains(31%), falling injury (11%), heavy pound(6%) were the main causes of ankle fractures.In terms of fracture types, 238 (76.2%)cases with lateral malleolus, 235 (75.3%)cases with medial malleolus fractures, 161 (51.6%)cases with posterior malleolus, and 105 (33.7%)cases with trimalleolar fracture, 21 (6.8%)cases with posterior Pilon fracture.21 patients with posterior Pilon fracture were followed up for 13.0 to 56.0 months, with an average of (31.7±12.6) months.Postoperative incision infection occurred in 3 patients, of which 1 cases had mild external leakage, and all wounds healed after dressing change.No fracture and screw prolapse occurred in all follow-up patients.The average score of AOFAS was (87.2±7.1)points, of which 9 cases were excellent, 10 cases were good, and 2 cases were fair. Conclusion Patients with ankle fractures were more common in males aged 60 and below, while in patients above 60 years old, the majority patients were females.In addition, patients aged 40 to 60 years old accounts for more than half of the population and the most common age group were between 50 and 60 years old.Traffic accidents and sprains are the common causes.The incidence of different fracture types in descending order were as follows: lateral malleolus fractures, medial malleolus fractures, posterior malleolus fractures and trimalleolar fractures.Pilon fracture was a common type of ankle fracture.Clinical outcome of open reduction and fixation for the treatment of posterior Pilon fracture with supporting plate was satisfied. Key words: Ankle joint; Epidemiology; Posterior Pilon fracture