TREATMENT OF TIBIAL PILON FRACTURES USING RING FIXATORS AND ARTHROSCOPY

Twenty-one patients with tibial pilon fractures were treated with ring fixators and arthroscopy, There mere 2 Type I, 14 Type II, and 5 Type III fractures using the Ruedi classification, In Ruedi types I and II fractures, ring fixators were applied to the tibia and foot, and clos ed reduction was performed, monitoring the quality of the reduction wi th an image intensifier, When the quality of the reduction was questio nable, arthroscopy was used, and if necessary, the reduction was readj usted. Olive wires mere used to achieve reduction and fixation, In all Ruedi Type III fractures and 4 Ruedi Type II injuries, a limited open Fixation was performed instead of arthroscopy. Approximately 8 weeks after the operation, the foot mounting was removed, The ring fixators were removed between 16 and 28 weeks, Bony union mas achieved in all b ut 1. At an average followup of 37 months, there were 15 good, 4 fair, and 2 poor results, There sere a cases of pin tract infection, and 1 patient had loss Of reduction, there were no cases of deep mound infec tion, It was concluded that ring fixator and adjunctive arthroscopy is safe and effective in the management of tibial pilon fractures.