Mar 25, 2024
Type C3 distal tibial plafond fractures
consistently show poor outcomes with high complication rates and
significant risk of posttraumatic arthritis. We describe a
minimally invasive technique of performing a primary ankle fusion
using an anterograde tibial nail and compare our early results to
traditional methods of fixation.
In conclusion, C3 distal tibial plafond
fractures are difficult to manage and there has not been a
satisfactory method of treating them that allows early return to
work, has a low risk of complications, and reduces the risk of
posttraumatic tibiotalar arthritis.
We present our initial results with a method
that uses traditional arthroscopic techniques to prepare the
tibiotalar joint together with minimally invasive anterograde
tibiotalar nailing. In this initial report of a small group of
patients, we found that surgery can be performed once the swelling
has subsided after injury and that allowing weightbearing as
tolerated did not appear to have a negative effect on initial
outcomes.
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