Arthroscopic assisted percutaneous fixation in ankle pilon fracture: A case report

Results of operative fixation for ankle fractures had been suboptimal, with cases of posttraumatic osteoarthritis occurring following the surgeries. Intra-articular injuries have been suggested as the cause of this problem. This case report aims to present an ankle pilon fracture Ruedi Allgower type II case treated with percutaneous fixation and arthroscopy evaluation.

Female, 17 years old, complained of pain and swelling at the right ankle. The physical examination revealed swelling, deformity, tenderness, and limited range of motion at the right ankle. The radiological examination showed a Ruedi Allgower type II pilon fracture with right ankle dislocation. The patient underwent closed reduction, arthroscopy to evaluate her right ankle and percutaneous internal fixation. The post-surgery evaluation showed a stable ankle.

Patients undergoing ankle fracture surgery may benefit from ankle arthroscopy because it may increase visualization of articular reductions, assess and repair cartilage and ligament damage, remove loose bodies, decrease soft tissue exposure, preservative vascularity, and evaluate syndesmosis. Moreover, rapid arthroscopic evaluation has a low complication rate. The ability of arthroscopy to improve syndesmotic instability diagnosis suggests that arthroscopy may play a significant role in managing ankle fractures.

Arthroscopy-assisted internal fixation provides more benefits and information as a single case report, and more studies are warranted; regarding patients' intra-articular injuries, preventing future complications, such as posttraumatic osteoarthritis.