Clinical and radiological functional results of patients treated surgically after pilon fracture

Aim: Still there is not a standard treatment protocol used in pilon fractures. Surgical timing and planning are needed according to the patient. Therefore, we wanted to share our clinical experience of pilon fractures. Materials and Methods: Between 2010-2021, the medical records and radiological results of the patients who came for routine follow-up were evaluated retrospectively. 39 patients included in the study and were evaluated. Age, gender, smoking, alcohol use, diabetes, osteoporosis, body mass index, side of injured extremity, dominantly used extremity, type of trauma, severity of trauma, operation timing, type of fracture, time to start weight-bearing, time to full weight-bearing, time to union, time to return to work, presence of accompanying injury, type of preoperative temporary fixation and fixation method, follow-up time, ankle range of motion, graft usage, technique of surgery, quality of postoperative reduction, number of fragments in the transverse CT plan, marginal impacted fragments, type of fibula fracture, fibula fracture fixation method, early and late complications were evaluated. Results: The mean follow-up time was 55.7 months. According to the Ruedi Allgöwer classification system, the fractures were 9 type 1, 8 type 2, and 23 type 3 fractures. According to the AO/OTA classification system, fractures were 1 B1, 6 B2, 1 B3, 4 C1, 7 C2, 21 C3. Conclusion: All fractures should be evaluated with CT. Careful systemic evaluation is needed. Mini-open technique is a good option for fractures that are suitable for this technique. Anatomical reduction is more difficult to achieve in patients without fibular fractures. Even if good reduction is achieved with graftted fractures, factors such as cartilage injury cause poor results. Anatomical reduction is associated with better functional outcome.