The Result of Using an Additional Mini-Locking Plate for Tibial Pilon Fractures

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We evaluated the usefulness of an additional, 2.7 mm mini-locking plate for tibial pilon fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 21 patients (14 males and 7 females), who were treated with a 2.7 mm mini-locking plate via the anterolateral approach for tibial pilon fractures between September 2012 and April 2014. The mean age was 43.85 years, and the mean follow-up period was 16.6 months. The radiologic outcomes were graded by the Burwell and Charnley modified system and clinical outcomes were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hind foot score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: The mean union period was 14.3 weeks. At the final follow-up, radiologic results showed 16 excellent results, 4 fair results, and 1 poor result. The average VAS was 3.4 points; the average AOFAS score was 81.8 points. During the follow-up period, there were three cases of posttraumatic osteoarthritis and one case of superficial skin infection. CONCLUSION: Additional anterolateral, 2.7 mm mini-locking plate may be a good treatment method to manage tibial pilon fractures.