Pilon
Pilon Fractures
A Pilon fracture or plafond fracture is a type of fracture of the distal part of the tibia, involving its articular surface at the ankle joint. Pilon fractures are caused by rotational or axial forces, mostly as a result of falls from a height or motor vehicle accidents. They are rare, comprising 3 to 10 percent of all fractures of the tibia and 1 percent of all lower extremity fractures.
Classification[edit | edit source]
Pilon fractures can be classified using the Ruedi-Allgower classification or the AO/OTA classification. The Ruedi-Allgower classification is simpler and divides pilon fractures into three types based on the degree of comminution and displacement. The AO/OTA classification is more complex and divides pilon fractures into three types based on the location of the fracture and the degree of articular involvement.
Symptoms and Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Patients with a pilon fracture typically present with severe pain, inability to bear weight, and swelling at the ankle joint. The diagnosis is confirmed by X-ray imaging, which shows the fracture and any associated injuries. Computed tomography (CT) scan may be used for further evaluation of the fracture and planning of the surgery.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The treatment of pilon fractures is challenging due to the complexity of the fracture and the poor soft tissue coverage in this area. The goal of treatment is to restore the normal alignment and stability of the ankle joint, and to allow early mobilization to prevent stiffness and loss of function. Treatment options include non-surgical treatment with casting or splinting, and surgical treatment with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or external fixation.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis of pilon fractures is generally poor due to the high risk of complications, including infection, nonunion, malunion, arthritis, and loss of function. The outcome is better in younger patients with less severe fractures and in those who receive early and appropriate treatment.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Pilon Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
