Can a pilon fracture heal without surgery?
Can a pilon fracture heal without surgery?
Some pilon fractures do not need surgical treatment. These are typically lower-energy injuries to the tibia and fibula at the ankle joint. The bones are broken but simply shifted out of place and these injuries tend to be less severe. These lower-energy pilon fractures can be treated with a leg cast.
How long does it take to recover from a pilon fracture?
Most pilon fractures require surgery. It usually takes three to six months after surgery for the fracture to heal completely. However, it often takes individuals a year or more to fully recover from the injury.
What’s the tibial plafond?
A pilon fracture (also called a tibial plafond fracture) is a comminuted fracture of the distal tibia involving the ankle joint.
How do you fix a broken Pilon?
If your pilon fracture is mild, you might receive treatment with splints, casts, and pain medicines. Many people with pilon fractures will need surgery. Your surgeon might wait until your swelling goes down to do the surgery.
What is another name for a pilon fracture?
Pilon fracture
| Pilon fracture Pilon is the French word for “pestle”—an instrument used for crushing or pounding. In many pilon fractures, the bone may be crushed or split into several pieces due to the high-energy impact that caused the injury. | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Plafond fracture |
Do metal plates and screws need to be removed?
Occasionally a screw is positioned across a joint to help hold that joint in place whilst it heals and it should be removed before moving the joint again to prevent breakage of the metalwork. Infected metalwork should always be removed preferably after the fracture has healed.
What is a tibial pilon fracture?
A pilon fracture is a type of break that occurs at the bottom of the tibia (shinbone) and involves the weight-bearing surface of the ankle joint. With this type of injury, the other bone in the lower leg, the fibula, is frequently broken as well.
Where is the distal tibial plafond?
Description. Tibial plafond (“pilon”) fractures involve the distal articular surface of the tibia and extend to the metaphysis. Plafond (French for “ceiling”) refers to the horizontal distal tibial articular surface.
Does a pilon fracture include the fibula?
How long does it take to walk properly after a broken ankle?
If you don’t need surgery, you might be able to walk on your own within six to eight weeks. If your fracture did require surgery, you may get a walking cast after two weeks; four to six weeks later, you may be able to apply some weight and be moved to a cast with a walker or crutches.
