Pilon fracture
Last revised by Travis Fahrenhorst-Jones on 28 Dec 2022
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Fahrenhorst-Jones T, Lustosa L, et al. Pilon fracture. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 19 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-10609
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rID:
10609
Article created:
25 Aug 2010,
Yuranga Weerakkody ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Yuranga Weerakkody had no recorded disclosures.
View Yuranga Weerakkody's current disclosures
Last revised:
28 Dec 2022,
Travis Fahrenhorst-Jones ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Travis Fahrenhorst-Jones had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Travis Fahrenhorst-Jones's current disclosures
Revisions:
16 times, by
14 contributors -
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Systems:
Synonyms:
- Pilon fractures
- Pilon fracture of the distal tibia
- Tibial plafond fracture
- Plafond fracture
A pilon fracture is a type of distal tibial fracture involving the tibial plafond. These are considered to represent 1-10% of all lower limb fractures 6.
On this page:
Mechanism
Typically high energy injuries and occur as a result of an axial loading which drives the talus into the tibial plafond.
Classification
Several classification systems exist. Frequently adopted is the one proposed by Ruedi and Allgower 5:
- type I: articular fracture with minimal or no displacement
- type II: displacement of the articular surface but with minimal or no comminution
- type III: marked comminution as well as articular impaction
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph / CT
- by definition, the fracture involves the tibial plafond and the distal tibial articular surface
- associated fractures of the fibula can be evident, with or without ankle dislocation
- CT can further define the fracture pattern and assess for tendon subluxation
History and etymology
Derived from the French word pilon (pestle), an instrument used for crushing and pounding and usually used with a mortar.
References
- 1. Cheung Y, Perrich KD, Gui J et-al. MRI of isolated distal fibular fractures with widened medial clear space on stressed radiographs: which ligaments are interrupted? AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;192 (1): W7-12. doi:10.2214/AJR.08.1092 - Pubmed citation
- 2. Topliss CJ, Jackson M, Atkins RM. Anatomy of pilon fractures of the distal tibia. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2005;87 (5): 692-7. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.87B5.15982 - Pubmed citation
- 3. Haapamaki VV, Kiuru MJ, Koskinen SK. Ankle and foot injuries: analysis of MDCT findings. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2004;183 (3): 615-22. AJR Am J Roentgenol (full text) - Pubmed citation
- 4. Tscherne H, Schatzker J. Major fractures of the pilon, the talus, and the calcaneus, current concepts of treatment. Springer Verlag. (1993) ISBN:0387558373. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 5. Chen SH, Wu PH, Lee YS. Long-term results of pilon fractures. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2007;127 (1): 55-60. doi:10.1007/s00402-006-0225-3 - Pubmed citation
- 6. Sirkin M, Sanders R. The treatment of pilon fractures. Orthop. Clin. North Am. 2001;32 (1): 91-102. - Pubmed citation
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