What's the diagnosis? By Dr. Erica Schramm

Wed, 01/06/2021 - 12:10am

A 48 year old male fell from a ladder landing on his right foot.  He has an obvious ankle deformity. What's the diagnosis? (scroll down for answer)

 

 

 

 

 

Answer:  Pilon Fracture

  • The xray shows the pilon fracture as well as a comminuted displaced fracture of the dital fibula and tibiotalar and fibulotalar dislocations
  • A pilon fracture is a fracture of the disal tibia involving its articular surface
  • The mechanism of injury is most often a high energy axial load
  • Most pilon fractures require ORIF

 

 

Weiers, A.  Haller P. (2020). Leg Injuries. Tintinalli J.E., & Ma O, & Yealy D.M., & Meckler G.D., & Stapczynski J, & Cline D.M., & Thomas S.H.(Eds.), Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 9e. McGraw-Hill.