A Novel Approach Combined with MIPO Technique for the Treatment of Type C Pilon Fractures

Type C fracture is a complete intra-articular fracture, and the mainstay of treatment remains open reduction and internal fixation. The purpose of the study is to observe the clinical effect of an anterior ankle C approach (ankle-C) combined with minimal invasive plate osteosystems (MIPO) for tibial pilon fractures (AO/OTA 43C, combined with fibula fractures).

A retrospective comparative analysis was performed on the clinical data of 33 patients with C-type pilon fractures (combined fibula fractures) admitted to our department from July 2018 to July 2021, including 12 cases treated with ankle-C (a-C) approach and 21 cases with conventional approach (including combined approach). All patients were followed up for over 6 months. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS-AHS), wound healing time, fracture healing time, and complications were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy.

The scores of VAS and AOFAS in the a-C group scored better than the conventional group (P < 0.05), especially in the extent of limited range of motion (LROM) of ankle dorsiflexion-plantarflexion in 1 month after operation and at the last follow-up (P < 0.01). Bone healing was achieved in both groups 6 months after operation, with no implant exposure or infection. Among them, 4 cases in the conventional approach group had wound healing time exceeding 2 weeks.

For type C pilon fractures (combined with fibula fractures), ankle-C approach combined with MIPO technique has certain advantages in ankle function recovery and soft tissue repair, which provides an alternative for the treatment of type C pilon fractures.