Treatment of infected pilon nonunions with small pin fixators

Six consecutive patients with infected intra-articular fractures of the distal tibia were studied. They were treated with resection of all infected or necrotic bone, systemic antibiotics, and instrumentation with a small pin fixator (Ilizarov external fixator). The fixator was used to perform an ankle arthrodesis and to fill the defect created by bone resection with distraction osteogenesis. In all cases, the infections were eradicated, and a solid arthrodesis was attained. The patients required from zero to two revision procedures (average 1.3), and their time in the fixator varied from 3 to 13 months (average 8 months). All of the patients experienced at least minor complications during treatment (superficial pin tract infections). At final follow-up, no patient demonstrated shortening of more than 1.5 cm. One patient has an internal rotation deformity of 15 degrees; a second has a varus deformity of 10 degrees and occasionally uses lateral support (a cane) secondary to unsteadiness on uneven ground; and one patient uses aspirin occasionally for subtalar pain. All are pleased with their results and would undergo the same procedure again without reservation.