TIBIAL PILON FRACTURES - A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL-STUDY OF MANAGEMENT-TECHNIQUES AND RESULTS

Thirty-eight consecutive pilon fractures were reviewed retrospectively to compare the radiographic and clinical results with the original in juries based on three different treatment options: external fixation o nly, external fixation with limited internal fixation, and internal fi xation only. Dates of injury were from February 1985 to February 1989. Treatment method was the surgeon's preference. The mean follow-up tim e was 28 months. Results were tabulated by clinical and radiographic s cores. In general, simple fracture types had good results; complex one s did less well. In this study, fracture severity appeared to be the k ey variable in outcome.