Table II.

Patient eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

Aged ≥ 16 years

Closed intra-articular pilon fracture of the distal tibia classified according to AO: AO 43-C1, C2 and C3 (complete articular), including patients with a bi-lateral pilon fracture and who have polytrauma.

The treating surgeon believes the patient will benefit from surgical fixation.

Exclusion criteria

> 21 days since injury

Previous failed fixation

Pathological fracture

Pre-existing (pre-injury) skin condition which precludes open surgery

Patient is/would be unable to understand instructions for treatment