Impaction fractures of the anterior tibial plafond: Outcomes after fractures around the ankle: Is the anterior impaction plafond fracture a problem?

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether patients with AO/OTA 43-B anterior impaction tibial plafond fractures have worse clinical outcomes, and an increased risk of progression to ankle arthrodesis.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Level 1 academic trauma center.

PATIENTS

One hundred sixty-eight patients were included in the study, all of whom had tibial plafond fractures.

INTERVENTION

Study patients underwent external fixation and/or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) as indicated by fracture/injury pattern.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Arthrodesis rate.

RESULTS

AO 43-B Anterior impaction tibial plafond fractures have an increased risk of progression to arthrodesis when compared to AO 43-B nonanterior impaction type fractures (19.4% vs 8%).

CONCLUSIONS

AO 43-B anterior impaction tibial plafond fractures have a worse clinical outcome compared to AO 43-B nonanterior impaction fractures. These fractures also confer increased risk of progression to arthrodesis.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.