Irreducible Tibial Pilon Fracture Treated with Single-Stage Closed Ilizarov Fixation and Gradual Correction

Abstract

Case: A young polytrauma victim of a road traffic accident was diagnosed with comminuted articular fracture of the left distal tibial pilon and open segmental fracture of the fibula. The comminuted distal tibial metaphysis was translocated into the interosseous space and, hence, was irreducible. He underwent single-stage closed Ilizarov device stabilization and gradual postoperative closed reduction to obtain good functional outcome at 9 months. The lung and scapular injuries were treated conservatively. Conclusion: Acute complex irreducible tibial pilon fracture can be treated according to principles of deformity correction with the Ilizarov device.