Treatment Strategy for a Closed Tibial Pilon Fracture Concomitant with a Closed Lateral Malleolus Fracture That Occurred in a Context of Low Energy Trauma: A Case Report of a 43-Year-Old Man

Abstract

Tibial pilon fractures are rare and challenging fractures of the lower limb that account for about 1% of all lower limbs fractures and up to 10% of tibial fractures. They are challenging in terms of treatment outcomes. The injury is generally caused by high energy axial trauma from motor vehicle accidents or a fall from height. The type of definitive fixation is still a great challenge for surgeons and is dictated by the soft tissue injury and energy imparted to the fracture. In this case report, we describe the combination of a closed tibial pilon fracture and a closed lateral malleolus fracture occurring in an unusual context for this type of injury in a 43-year-old-man. It actually occurred in a context of low energy trauma of the ankle during a friendly soccer match. A one step internal fixation method was chosen for definitive treatment. For this, two screws were used for the fixation of the tibial pilon fracture and the external malleolus was fixed with two Kirschner wires. Post-operative follow-up was uncomplicated.