A new ankle spanning fixator construct for distal tibia fractures: optimizing visualization, minimizing pin...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Management
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Pilon and ankle fractures necessitate external fixation for soft tissue stabilization prior to definitive surgery.
• Conventional external fixator constructs can obscure radiographic views, cause pin tract infections, and lead to heel ulcerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel posterior calcaneal pin and U-bar external fixation technique.
• To mitigate drawbacks associated with traditional external fixation methods for ankle and pilon fractures.

Main Methods:

• A modified external fixation construct was developed.
• Calcaneal pins were placed posteriorly, and a U-shaped bar was utilized.
• This technique was employed during the interim period before definitive fracture fixation.

Main Results:

• The novel technique significantly reduces obscuring of the injury site on radiographs.
• Complications such as pin tract infections and heel ulcerations were minimized.
• Improved stability and reduced soft tissue irritation were observed.

Conclusions:

• Posterior calcaneal pin placement with a U-bar offers a simpler, effective external fixation method for ankle and pilon fractures.
• This approach enhances patient outcomes by reducing fixation-related complications.
• It provides a valuable alternative for temporary stabilization in complex ankle injuries.