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Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
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Pilon Frx: Fixation of Metaphysis to Diaphysis



- See: Pilon Frx Menu:


- External Fixation:
    - external fixation applied medially and across the ankle can protect the articular
          reconstruction and prevent collapse;
          - external fixation across the ankle can restore length (thru distraction) w/ or w/o fibular fixation;
    - Technique of External Fixation
                - 2-3 half pins are placed in the tibia;
                - foot inclusion;
                      - one pin is placed in the medial neck of the talus;
                      - in most cases, distraction of the talus will effect reduction of the fibula due to
                                their interconnecting ligaments;
                      - one pin is placed in the posterior calcaneus;
          - circular wire fixators
                - distally, first wire is transfibular (posterolateral to anteromedial);
                - second wire is inserted at the posteromedial edge of the distal tibia, and exits anterolaterally;
                - additional pins are placed as is necessary;
                - circular wire fixators need to include fixation and distraction across the talus inorder to effect reduction of the fibula;
                      - otherwise plate fixation of the fibula is required inorder to maintain the reduction;
    - references:
          - Hybrid external fixation in the treatment of the tibial plafond fractures. R Barbieri et al.   CORR Vol 332. 1996. p   16-22.
          - Use of an articulated external fixator for fractures of the tibial plafond.
          - Intra-articular fractures of the distal tibia: surgical management by limited internal fixation and articulated distraction. M Saleh et al.   Injury. Vol 24. 1993. p 37-40.
          - External fixation of severely comminuted and open tibial pilon fractures.
          - Pilon Fractures: Treatment with Combined Internal and External Fixation. P. Tornetta III et al.   J. Orthop. Trauma. 1993. Vol 7. No 6. p 489-496.
          - The small pin circular fixator for distal tibial pilon fractures with soft tissue compromise. CP Murphy et al.   Orthopaedics. Vol 14. 1994. p 283-290.
          - Medial external fixation with lateral plate internal fixation in metaphyseal tibia fractures. A report of eight cases associated with severe soft-tissue injury.



- Butress Plating:














Articulated External Fixation of Pilon Fractures: The Effects on Ankle Joint Kenematics.
    D.C. Fitzpatrick, J.L. Marsh, and T.D. Brown.   J. Orthop. Trauma 1995. Vol 9, No 1, p 76-82.

Two staged delayed open reduction and internal fixation of severe pilon fractures.
    MJ Patterson and JD Cole.   Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma.   Vol 13. No 2. p 85-91.







Original Text by Clifford R. Wheeless, III, MD.