Open reduction and internal fixation of posterior pilon fractures with buttress plate

Objective: Posterior pilon fractures are rare injuries and have not yet gained well recognition. The purpose of this study was to present the treatment outcome for patients with posterior pilon fractures treated with buttress plate. Method: In this retrospective study we identified patients with posterior pilon fractures of the distal tibia who had undergone open reduction and internal fixation at our institute. Between January 2007 and December 2009, 10 patients (mean age, 46.5 years) who had undergone buttress plating via either a posterolateral approach or a dual posterolateral-posteromedial approach, were selected. All 10 patients were available for follow-up. The clinical outcome was evaluated with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and the visual analogue scale (VAS). The radiological evaluation was performed using the osteoarthritis-score (OA-score). Results: Satisfactory reduction and stable fixation were accomplished in all patients. At a mean follow-up of 36.2 months, all patients had good radiological results and showed satisfactory clinical recovery. The mean AOFAS sore was 87.8, the mean OA-score was 0.6, and the mean VAS scores during rest, active motion, and weight-bearing walking were 0.6, 0.8, and 1.4, respectively. Conclusion: Buttress plating for posterior pilon fractures gave satisfactory clinical outcomes. It also ensured rigid fixation which in turn enabled earlier postoperative mobilization. Level of Evidence IV, Retrospective Study. .

Desfechos clínicos de tratamento cirúrgico de más uniões ou não consolidadas do tálus / Clinical outcomes of surgical treatment for talar malunions and nonunions

Objetivo: apresentar nossas experiências no tratamento de más uniões ou não consolidações talares. Método: entre janeiro de 2000 e setembro de 2009, 26 pacientes com má união ou nãounião depois de fraturas do tálus foram submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico de acordo com os diferentes tipos de deformidade talar. Os desfechos do tratamento foram avaliados pela escala tornozelo-retropé da AOFAS, assim como por radiografias simples. Resultados: 20 pacientes ficaram disponíveis para acompanhamento por 30 (24 a 60) meses. Não houve problema de cicatrização ou infecção das feridas e foram obtidas uniões sólidas em todos os pacientes. As uniões radiológicas foram atingidas em tempo médio de 14 (faixa de 12 a 18) semanas. O tempo médio para concluir o apoio de carga foi 16 (faixa de 14 a 20) semanas. O escore AOFAS médio aumentou significantemente de 36,2 (27 a 43) para 85,8 (74 a 98). Conclusão: as intervenções cirúrgicas das fraturas mal-unidas ou não consolidadas dos tálus podem produzir resultados satisfatórios e o procedimento apropriado deve ser adotado, de acordo com diferentes tipos de deformidades pós-traumáticas. Nível de Evidência: IV, Estudo Retrospectivo.

Objective: To present our experiences of treating talar malunions and nonunions. Method: between January 2000 and September 2009, 26 patients with malunions or nonunions after talar fractures underwent surgical treatment according to different types of talar deformities. The treatment outcomes were evaluated using AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale as well as plain radiographs. Results: 20 patients were available for follow-up for 30 (range, 24 to 60) months. No wound healing problems or infections occurred and solid unions were achieved in all patients. Radiological unions were achieved at a mean time of 14 (range, 12 to 18) weeks. The mean time to complete weight-bearing was 16 (range, 14 to 20) weeks. The mean AOFAS score increased significantly from 36.2 (range, 27 to 43) to 85.8 (range, 74 to 98). Conclusion: surgical interventions for malunions and nonunions after talar fractures can bring about satisfactory outcomes, and the appropriate procedure should be adopted according to different types of posttraumatic deformities. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Study.

Exploração operatória e redução de sindesmose em lesão de tornozelo de Weber tipo C / Operative exploration and reduction of syndesmosis in Weber type C ankle injury

Objetivo: Investigar os métodos cirúrgicos no tratamento de fratura de tornozelo de Weber tipo C e estimar a necessidade de exploração cirúrgica da sindesmose. Métodos: quarenta e três pacientes que apresentavam fratura de tornozelo de Weber tipo C foram tratados com redução aberta e fixação interna de outubro de 2004 a dezembro de 2009. Vinte e nove pacientes foram tratados com o procedimento de rotina, que envolve redução aberta e fixação interna, exploração de sindesmose. Nos outros pacientes, foram realizados reparos adicionais. Trinta e quatro pacientes foram acompanhados durante um período médio de 31,2 meses (faixa, 18 a 50 meses), 22 pacientes desse total foram tratados com procedimentos de rotina e 12 foram tratados com exploração cirúrgica adicional da sindesmose. Resultados: todas as fraturas estavam unidas no período médio de 13,1 semanas (faixa, 10 a 18 semanas), tendo início o apoio de peso total. A escala média de tornozelo e retropé do escore da American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society foi 79,86 (faixa, 65 a 98) no grupo procedimentos de rotina e 86,67 (faixa, 78 a 100) no grupo exploração da sindesmose. Os valores do escore de Olerud-Molander foram 77,27 (faixa, 55 a 100) e 86,67 (faixa, 75 a 100), respectivamente. Constatou-se diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dois grupos (P < 0,05). Conclusão: A exploração cirúrgica da sindesmose é essencial em certas fraturas de tornozelo de Weber tipo C, que torna possível o desbridamento e a redução direta da sindesmose, permitindo maior estabilização da articulação do tornozelo. Nível de evidência III, Estudo retrospectivo comparativo .

Objective: To investigate the surgical methods in treating weber type c ankle injury and estimate the necessity of syndesmosis operative exploration. Methods: forty three patients presenting weber type c ankle injury were treated with open reduction and internal fixation from October 2004 to December 2009. Twenty nine patients were treated with routine procedure involving open reduction and internal fixation, syndesmosis exploration. Additional repair was performed in the others. Thirty four patients were followed during an average time of 31.2 months (range, 18 to 50 months), 22 patients of those were treated with routine procedures and 12 were treated with additional syndesmosis surgical exploration. Results: all the fractures were united within the average time of 13.1 weeks (range, 10 to 18 weeks) and full weight bearing began. The mean ankle and hindfoot scale of the American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society score was 79.86 (range, 65 to 98) in the routine procedures group and 86.67 (range, 78 to 100) in the syndesmosis exploration group. The values of olerud-molander score were 77.27 (range, 55 to 100) and 86.67 (range, 75 to 100), respectively. Statistcally significant difference was found between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: syndesmosis surgical exploration is essential in some weber type c ankle injuries, which make debridement and direct reduction of the syndesmosis possible, allowing higher stabilization of the ankle joint. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Comparative Study.