Is it justifiable to perform tibio-talar arthrodesis rather than fixation as the treatment for severe pilon fractures?

Abstract

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare functional outcome at minimum 2 years follow up post fixation of pilon fractures to that of patients undergoing elective procedure (in the form of TAR or ankle arthrodesis) for primary osteoarthritis of the ankle to assess whether pilon fracture patients would benefit from tibio-talar arthrodesis as a primary procedure rather than fixation to avoid significant functional disability between primary fixation and subsequent arthrodesis. Methods: This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data of patients operated between April 2012 and December 2015. All patients with primary osteoarthritis undergoing elective TAR/arthrodesis (Group A) had pre-op functional scores recorded (MOX-FQ, EQ-5D and Foot and ankle outcome score FAOS). Patients with bilateral ankle arthritis, previous reconstructive surgery, inflammatory arthritis, hip and knee arthritis, spinal pathology and underlying neurological conditions were excluded from Group A. Patients in Group B (post Pilon fracture fixation with a minimum 2 year follow up) completed a postal questionnaire with the above scores. Outcomes between groups were compared using inferential statistical tests using SPSS. Results: Mean age of patients in Group A and Group B were (62.6 ± 10.9 years) and (46.4 ± 15 years) respectively; p<0.001. In group B, 9 patients (16.6%) had associated injuries and 45 patients (83.3%) had isolated injuries. 49 patients underwent an open reduction and internal fixation vs. 5 patients with hybrid fixator as a definitive management in Group B with 2 patients having significant infection (1 in each group). The results of functional scores comparing Group A to Group B (including sub-group analysis) are awaited and will be submitted subject to acceptance of this abstract. Conclusion: The outcomes of pilon fracture are well known to be poor with high rate of secondary osteoarthritis and significant functional disability associated with it in young individuals in active employment. The gold standard treatment for patients with significant osteoarthritis of the ankle is tibio-talar arthrodesis. However, a group of these patients continue to have high functional disability between initial injury and to the point of tibio-talar arthrodesis. The results of this study will highlight the justification to perform tibio-talar arthrodesis as a definitive treatment at the time of injury, rather than fixation.