Ilizarov versus ORIF for Open AO Type-C Pilon Fractures

  • Saeed Ahmed Shaikh Jinnah Sindh Medical University/ Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre
  • Malik Osama Tanweer South City Institute of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Muhammad Tahir Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre
  • Nadeem Ahmed Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre
Keywords: Open fracture, Pilon fracture, Arthritis, AOFAS-Ankle Hindfoot Score, Pain

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of ORIF versus Ilizarov for the management of Type C closed pilon fractures of the distal tibia at 12 months follow up.

Methods: This retrospective cross sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) between 29th May 2015 and 27th November 2019 that included patients 18 years and older diagnosed with open AO type C pilon fractures. The primary outcome was the patient-reported Disability Rating Index (DRI) months. While the secondary outcomes were quality of life assessment using the patient satisfaction form (SF-12) and AOFAS-Ankle Hindfoot Score. Radiographs were assessed for fracture healing, time to healing, and malalignment.

Results: Fifteen patients underwent ORIF, while 26 patients were treated with Ilizarov, there was no statistically significant difference in DRI scores at 12 months between the two groups. In terms of clinical outcomes, both groups had comparable results throughout the follow-up period. The number of unplanned surgical procedures was not statistically significant (p=0.73), 26.92% (n=7) in the Ilizarov as compared to 33.33% (n=5) in the ORIF group.

Conclusion: Among patients with an acute, displaced, intra-articular fracture of the distal tibia, neither external fixation nor locking plate fixation resulted in superior disability status at 12 months. Patient factors may need to be considered in deciding the optimal approach.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.10.8941

How to cite this: Shaikh SA, Tanveer MO, Tahir M, Ahmed N. Ilizarov versus ORIF for Open AO Type-C Pilon Fractures. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(10):2213-2218. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.10.8941

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Author Biographies

Malik Osama Tanweer, South City Institute of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Dr Osama is an FCPS certified orthopaedic surgeon previously traineed in Indus Hospital Karachi and currently working as a visiting consultant in South City Institute of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation.

He has currently completed a fellowship from HongKong sub-specializing in hand and paediatric orthopaedic surgery.

Muhammad Tahir, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre

Dr Tahir is an FCPS qualified orthopaedic surgeon with additional qualification of MRCS from UK. He has completed a sarcoma fellowship from Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore and an arthroplasty fellowship from Gloucester Royal Hospital specializing in complex primary hip and knee arthroplasty and revision knee arthroplasty.

Dr Tahir is also a reviewer for prestigious orthopaedic and trauma journals such as Injury and International Journal of Surgery and has is a ceritfied researcher from NIH, UK.  

Nadeem Ahmed, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre

Dr Nadeem is an associate professor, examiner and supervisor of FCPS orthopaedics at JPMC, Karachi. He is also trainee program director of orthoapedics at JPMC.

Published
2024-10-16
How to Cite
Shaikh, S. A., Tanweer, M. O., Tahir, M., & Ahmed, N. (2024). Ilizarov versus ORIF for Open AO Type-C Pilon Fractures. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 40(10), 2213-2218. https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.10.8941
Section
Original Articles