Limited open reduction and Ilizarov external fixation in the treatment of distal tibial fractures

Abstract

The authors reviewed 31 distal tibial fractures (16 involving the tibial plafond) treated with Ilizarov external fixation. The study population was composed of 19 males and 12 females, with an average age of 54. The fractures were classified according to the AO classification: A1 (3), A2 (6), A3 (6), C1 (2), C2 (8), C3 (6). There were six open injuries. In 14 pilon cases, open reduction of the intra-articular fragments and bone grafting via a limited incision was performed. Clinical follow-up averaged 28 months (range 18–42). All but one fracture united with an average healing time of 13.9 weeks. Nearly all patients with AO type A fracture had excellent or good functional scores. The 14 cases of AO C2 and C3 group had five (38%) good results, five (38%) fair results and three (24%) poor results. This method yielded results comparable with previous studies using open reduction and internal fixation. Twenty-nine percent of the patients had pin track infection, which remained the most important complication of this method.