JB & JS open access
Five-Year Clinical Outcomes of Surgically Treated Different Types of Tibial Pilon Fractures
By Lenkkeri T, Bister V, Koivikko M and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Intra-articular distal tibial pilon fractures are most commonly caused by high-energy trauma and are often associated with severe soft-tissue injuries. The literature on medium-to-long-term clinical outcomes is limited. The purpose of this follow-up study was to evaluate the 5-year clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction among patients with different types of tibial pilon fractures.
Methods
One hundred twenty-six consecutive patients with operatively treated tibial pilon fractures were identified between 2012 and 2016 from a level 1 trauma center. A total of 105 patients (mean age 43 years, 30 females, 100% White, 100% European) were eligible for follow-up and were contacted 5 years after the initial trauma. Outcomes were assessed using a questionnaire, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, functional tests, and posttraumatic osteoarthritis (OA) Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade. For outcome analysis, patients were categorized into the following 3 groups according to AO-OTA fracture classification: type 43B2-B3 (Group 1), type 43C1-C2 (Group 2), and type 43C3 (Group 3) tibial pilon fractures.