Left Tibia Pilon Open Fracture Open Reduction and Internal Fixation with External Fixator
Nelson Merchan, MD1,2; Andrew M. Hresko, MD1,2; Edward Kenneth Rodriguez, MD, PhD2
1Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program
2Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Tibial plafond or pilon fractures account for 5 to 10% of all lower extremity fractures and are associated with high energy trauma. These fractures have a high rate of non-union, mal-union, and wound healing issues due to weak metaphyseal bone, a lack of robust soft tissue coverage, and complex intra-articular extension. This manuscript and video demonstrates a tibial pilon fracture managed acutely with a hybrid fixation approach combining internal fixation with external fixation.