ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the etiology and features of Pilon fractures and to explore their best operative method.Methods 92patients with pilon fracture were treated operatively and followed up between1991and 2001.According to the Ovadi a -Beals' s classification,there were 7cases of Type I fracture,12of II,30of III,26of IV,17of V.During the o peration,55patients had limited in ternal fixation with calcaneal trac-tion,18with calcaneal traction and plaster splint,10with tibial and fi bula internal fixation,9with external fixation apparatus.Results92patients were followed up for an av erage time of 53months(ranging from 4～103months).According to Mazur ' s criteria,the results of the treatm ent were rated as excellent in 42patients,good in 34,fair in 11and poor in 5.Conclusion The pilon fracture is caused by both t he force of falling from a high altitude and the force of rebounding which act in the distal end of tibia an d fibula.Limited internal fixation with calcaneal traction is a right choice of operative method to treat pilon fr actures.[