Pilon fractures are complex and difficult-to-treat fractures of the lower extremity that account for about 1% of all lower extremity fractures and up to 10% of tibial fractures [1, 2]. The term Pilon, meaning hammer, was originally described by the French surgeon Destot in 1911 [3] and refers to the mechanism of the injury: resembling the impact of talus on tibia to that of a hammer on a nail. These are also termed plafond (French for ceiling) fractures in which the ‘tibial plafond’ is the ceiling of the ankle joint.

Pilon fractures are more common in men than women [4] and their incidence is on the rise probably due to higher survival rates in road and traffic accidents as a result of air bags [4, 5]. The injury is caused by high energy axial load [1, 6] either from motor vehicle accidents or a fall from height. It has been reported that 20-25% of these fractures are open fractures causing complications for treatment through severe soft tissue injury and swelling [4, 7].

The treatment of these fractures has caused controversy among surgeons due to mixed outcomes. Here we report a case of pilon fracture in a male patient who has sustained the injury as a result of a fall (Table 2).

A 45 year old dental technician was brought into the Accident and Emergency department via ambulance following a fall from a height of approximately 12 feet. He sustained an isolated injury to his right lower leg. On examination there was an open fracture of the right distal tibia with a flap laceration approximately 7cm x 6cm minimally contaminated with the tibia exposed on the outside of the wound (see Figs. 1, 2). The deformity was confirmed as a comminuted fracture to the distal tibia on X-ray (see Figs. 3,4). There was no neuro-vascular deficit. The open wound was classified as a Gustillo Anderson type IIIa [8] due to degree of comminution and ability to close the wound - confirmed at time of surgery.

Fig. (1). A&E picture 1, a 50p coin has been laid for comparison of the wound size.

Fig. (2). A&E picture 2, close up view of the open wound.

Fig. (3). X-ray 1, pre-op.

Fig. (4). X-ray 2, pre-op.

The patient was treated according to ATLS principles and confirmed the right lower leg as an isolated injury. The wound was dressed with antiseptic dressings and antibiotics started. A temporary above knee plaster back slab was applied. The patient was then expedited to theatre for wound debridement, lavage and stabilisation of the fracture with temporary external fixation (quadrilateral frame - Hoffman III) (Figs. 5-7). The skin flap was reduced with adequate bone coverage and sutured with non-absorbable sutures. The patient was referred to a tertiary centre for definitive fine wire frame fixation following CT scan.

Fig. (5). Post-op picture 1, medial view.

Fig. (6). Post-op picture 2, close up medial view.

Fig. (7). Post-op picture 3, lateral view.

Pilon fractures are notoriously hard to treat and have been a case for discussion for many years; historically often leading to amputation.

In low energy injuries, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) has proven to produce satisfactory results in terms of fracture union and ankle function [1, 2]. Although ORIF has the advantage of allowing the surgeon to visually reconstruct the joint it requires significant additional soft tissue injury during dissection. Plate and screw fixation is also extremely difficult with highly comminuted fractures as often seen in these high energy injuries with a significant risk of deep infection and wound breakdown [9].

In this case the injuries sustained required stabilisation to prevent secondary soft tissue injury from fracture movement, and access to the wound for dressing and tissue viability.

External fixation allows secondary damage limitation through fracture stability with the additional benefit of surgical sites distant to the zone of injury (in this case transverse pins through the proximal tibia and calcaneum and a single pin mid tibia proximal to the soft tissue closed de-gloving area). Furthermore it is less time consuming to perform than an ORIF or fine wire frame and allows unimpeded access to the site of injury for vascular surgery, wound cleaning and wound checks.

The disadvantages of the standard type of external fixation is not inconsiderable, with potential problems including pin site infections [5], minor fracture movements causing non-union and inability to weight bear. Koulouvaris et al. found that in the long term follow up external fixation had a higher rate of delayed union and more reduction in activity in the subjects [10]. It is because of this that standard external fixation is rarely used as a definitive treatment and other methods such as ORIF or fine wire Illizarov type external fixators need to be considered.

In this case an ORIF is ill advised as the comminution and soft tissue injury are significant and minimising secondary injury is required. A fine wire Illizarov frame can be placed distant to the zone of injury and may allow for early mobilization and weight bearing (see Table 1). It requires however a specialist team for application and follow up as it is both technically challenging to apply and time consuming to maintain.

There are many options available to a trauma surgeon in treating complex periarticular open fractures. Understanding the injury and how the various treatment modalities may affect that injury are vital to reduce complications including amputation. In this case we have discussed the use of a standard external fixation followed by a fine wire fixation and the rational for that decision.

The authors confirm that this article content has no conflict of interest.