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BACKGROUND: Although pilon fractures are rare, they are important for orthopedic surgeons because of the difficulty of treatment and adverse effects on gait function. The aim of the study to evaluate the relationship between the reduction quality of the fracture, functional results, ankle arthrosis and plantar pressure distribution in patients with tibia pilon fractures. METHODS: In this study, a total of 62 patients treated for an intraarticular pilon fracture in our clinic between January 2015 and January 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Postoperative reduction qualities of the patients were evaluated with the Ovadia-Beals criteria, ankle functional scores with the Teeny-Wiss score, and ankle arthrosis with the Takakura classification. In the last follow-up of the patients, foot loading analysis was performed and the results of the patients were evaluated for their relation with postoperative reduction quality, ankle functions and ankle arthrosis. RESULTS: There were 62 patients (50 men and 12 women). The average age was 43.3 years (range 19-78). The mean follow-up was 34.3 months (range 24 - 58). The mean Ovadia-Beals score was 12.35 {plus minus} 4.6 in the postoperative plain radiographs of the patients; the mean Teeny-Wiss score in the last follow-up was 76.82 {plus minus} 17.69, and the Takakura score was 1.47 {plus minus} 1.35. Based on the pedobarographic measurements, 47.58% of the patients put weight on the anterior and 52.42% on the posterior of the foot in the anteroposterior plane. In the mediolateral plane, 42.15% loaded on the medial of the ankle and 57.85% loaded on the lateral of the foot. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular tibia pilon fractures can be demonstrated by lateralization of the walking axis and changes in gait patterns and can be associated with clinical outcome.
Background: Tibia pilon fractures are associated with high complication rates, decreased quality of life, and low patient satisfaction. Although many factors such as reduction quality and soft-tissue coverage have been identified, researchers continue to investigate the factors that affect healing in tibia pilon fractures. Our objective was to investigate the effect of initial fracture crack width and displacement degree on clinical functional results in tibia pilon fractures.
Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 40 patients with Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen and Orthopaedic Trauma Association type 43B and 43C tibia pilon fractures and operated on through the extensile anteromedial approach were analyzed. The demographic data of the patients, injury mechanisms, fracture type, reduction quality, clinical results, and postoperative complications were recorded. To evaluate the objective quantity of initial fracture crack width and displacement, a new parameter was defined: “fracture area.” All measurements were conducted using a feature from the picture archiving and communication system on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs taken separately in standard fashion.
Results: With an average follow-up period of 29.2 months (range, 24–40 months), 34 patients (85%) had excellent or good results, whereas only two patients (5%) had poor clinical results. Age, injury mechanism, and reduction quality have a significant relationship with Maryland Foot Score (P < .001, P < .037, and P < .001, respectively). Preoperative fracture area, measured on both the anteroposterior and the lateral views, are significantly related to both Ovadia-Beals Score and Maryland Foot Score (P < .001 for each).
Conclusions: Preoperative fracture area measurement has a major effect on healing of tibia pilon fractures. Increased initial fracture area is correlated with poor clinical functional results. High-energy injuries, older age, and poor reduction quality are also related to worse clinical outcomes.
Background:
Confirmation of anatomical reduction of ankle syndesmosis is mandatory because improper reduction leads to poor functional results. Coronal plane evaluation of syndesmosis is well described in the literature, but there is little information about sagittal plane evaluation. We sought to evaluate the relationship of fibula and tibia in the sagittal plane and create a new reference that can be applied easily and reliably.
Methods:
Lateral ankle radiographs of 337 individuals with no history of ankle fracture were evaluated. A line was drawn between the anterior and posterior cortices of the distal lateral tibia, and the length of this line was measured (line 1). The distance between the anterior and posterior cortices of the fibula on this line was measured, and the center of this second distance was identified and marked. The posterior half of the fibular width was divided by line 1 and was named the lateral posterior ankle ratio (LPAR). Statistical analysis was performed by side and sex.
Results:
Mean patient age was 38.6 years; mean LPAR was 0.48. There was a significant difference between men and women by age (P < .001) and LPAR (P = .01). There was no significant difference between right and left ankles by age (P = .63) and LPAR (P = .64). The LPAR was less than 0.40 in 6.8% of the radiographs, 0.40 to 0.50 in 57.9%, and greater than 0.50 to 0.60 in 32.9%.
Conclusions:
The LPAR should approximate 50% in normal lateral ankle images and, by extrapolation, after syndesmotic reduction.
