Ankle Spanning External Fixator Application

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic surgery
• Trauma care

Background:

• Traditional one-stage open reduction and internal fixation for tibia pilon fractures can lead to severe soft-tissue complications.
• A two-stage approach was developed to mitigate these risks, involving external fixation prior to definitive treatment.

Observation:

• The two-stage approach, utilizing external fixation, can be adapted for various high-energy hindfoot injuries.
• Critical elements for successful external fixation include anatomic reduction of the talus, strategic pin placement to counter deforming forces, and placement of the fixator outside the injury zone.

Findings:

• This video demonstrates techniques for achieving and maintaining fracture reduction using external fixation.
• Examples include complex plafond and talus injuries, alongside typical Orthopaedic Trauma Association/Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen C-type pilon fractures.

Implications:

• The described external fixation techniques offer a method to manage complex tibia pilon and hindfoot fractures, potentially reducing complications.
• This approach provides a valuable strategy for orthopaedic trauma surgeons managing high-energy lower extremity injuries.