![]() ![]() The goals of treatment are to restore alignment and stability and allow healing of the tibia and fibula at the ankle joint. These fractured bones must be set properly with surgery. There is often large separation between fractured fragments and instability in the tibia and fibula at the ankle joint. Most pilon fractures have multiple breaks. These lower-energy pilon fractures can be treated with a leg cast. The bones are still broken but the injuries are less severe. These are typically lower-energy injuries to the tibia and fibula at the ankle joint. What are treatment options? Some pilon fractures do not need surgical treatment. The surgeon may get a CT scan of the patient’s ankle to view all of the broken areas of the tibia and fibula. The bones may be broken in multiple places. In addition, the orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon will get X-rays of the patient’s leg and ankle to see how badly the tibia and fibula are broken. The surgeon will also be watchful for other injuries that may be present. The results of this examination will help the surgeon to determine how best to treat the pilon fracture. The orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon will then perform a focused physical examination of the leg and ankle. How is a pilon fracture diagnosed? The patient’s history will be recorded. These injuries are commonly caused by falls and car accidents. Pilon fractures occur when the talus is driven into the leg with such force that the leg bones break at the ankle joint. All three bones work together to provide movement and stability at the ankle joint. The ankle bone itself is called the talus. The fibula is the thinner outer bone of the lower leg. The tibia is the main weight bearing bone of the lower leg. What causes a pilon fracture? The ankle joint involves three bones. Swelling occurs quickly and can be followed by bruising. They often result in an obvious deformity of the ankle joint. Symptoms include pain and inability to bear weight on the leg. What are the symptoms of a pilon fracture? Pilon fractures are very painful and debilitating injuries. This crushing describes what happens to the tibia and fibula bones at the ankle joint due to the high-energy impact of the injury. A pestle is a tool used for crushing or pounding things. The word pilon comes from the French and means pestle. These injuries were first described more than 100 years ago and remain one of the most challenging problems for orthopaedic surgeons to treat. Pilon fractures are injuries that occur at the lower end of the tibia and involve the weight bearing surface of the ankle joint. If arthritis develops at a later stage, you may require a procedure called arthrodesis which involves fusion of the bones in the ankle.The tibia (shin bone) and the fibula are the bones of the lower leg. If a fibula fracture is present, it is also repaired. It is performed through one or more incisions and involves placing the fractured tibial plafond back in its anatomic position and stabilizing it with screws and plates. Surgery is indicated for most tibial plafond fractures after the swelling has subsided. Your fracture may be externally stabilized in a frame if there is significant soft tissue injury to allow the tissues to heal. Your doctor may treat a tibial plafond fracture by nonsurgical methods with a cast or splint for 10 to 12 weeks, if the fracture is not displaced or your health does not permit surgery. Pain and swelling is controlled with medication, ice application, elevation of your foot or application of a temporary splint. Imaging studies of the fibula, spine and hip are also ordered to check for associated injuries.Įmergency treatment includes irrigation of the open wound and administration of antibiotics to control infection. When you present to the clinic with a pilon fracture, your doctor performs a physical examination of the area of injury for disruption of skin, and to assess nerves and blood supply, X-rays and a CT scan of the ankle are ordered. The fractured bone may disrupt the skin, resulting in an open fracture, which needs to be treated emergently due to the possibility of infection. Tibial plafond or pilon fractures are usually accompanied by pain, swelling, deformity and inability to bear weight. ![]() The fracture is often accompanied by damage to soft tissue, articular cartilage and underlying bone, which can lead to post-traumatic arthritis. Fractures of the tibial plafond are rare, occurring as a result of a fall from a height or a motor vehicle accident that forces the ankle up against the tibia, often causing the bone to shatter. The part of the tibia that articulates with the talus (ankle bone) is called the tibial plafond or pilon. The tibia and fibula are long shin bones, which articulate with the thigh bone on one end and ankle joint at the lower end. Home » Conditions » Adult Trauma » Tibial Plafond Fracture Tibial Plafond Fracture ![]()
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