Clinical outcomes of buttress plating in treating posterior Pilon fractures through modified posteromedial approach

Abstract

To explore clinical outcomes of buttress plating in treating posterior Pilon fracture by amodified posteromedial approach. From July 2014 to January 2015, 10 patients with posterior Pilon fracture were respectively analyzed, including 7 females and 3 males, aged from 31 to 54 years old. One patient were type , 3 patients were type IIand 6 patients were type III according to classification of Pilon fracture by YU Guang-rong. All patients were treated by buttress plating through amodified posteromedial approach. Postoperative complications, fracture healing and reduction were observed, AOFAS score were used to evaluate function recovery at 1 year after operation. All patients were followed up for 12 to 18 months with an average of(14.1±3.2) months. All incisions were primarily healed at stage I without wound complication, neurovascular injuries or musculus flexor contracture. According to Burwell-Charnley imaging scoring, 8 patients got anatomical reduction and 2 patients got moderate reduction. All fracture got healing from 12 to 16 weeks with an average of(13.2±1.8) weeks. According to AOFAS score at 1 year after operation, 8 got excellent results and 2 moderate. All patients returned to work at about(4.7±1.4) months (ranged from 3 to 6 months) after operation. Buttress plating using a modified posteromedial approach in treating posterior Pilon fractures is an effective method, has less complications, and could recovery early weight-bearing functional exercise.